PMA welcomes new Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Produce Marketing Association released this statement about the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The Produce Marketing Association today welcomed the publication of the new 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).

Jointly published by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) every five years, the guidelines provide science-based recommendations designed to encourage healthy dietary patterns for Americans of all ages – from birth through older adults. This edition expands the guidance, for the first time including recommended healthy dietary patterns for infants and toddlers. 

Earlier this year, PMA convened a taskforce of industry stakeholders to examine and provide written comments on the Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, an independent, science-based group that provided advice to the U.S. Federal Government for finalizing the  guidelines published today.

PMA’s comments, submitted on August 10, encouraged federal agencies to continue work to emphasize the importance of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption by recognizing a plethora of health benefits that fruits and vegetables provide. The PMA comments called on USDA and the Dept. of Health and Human Services to go beyond education campaigns and invest into effective interventions that will increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, and offered suggestions to increase positive outcomes from the federal efforts.

“PMA is pleased to see the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines emphasize the need to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables across all age groups and socioeconomic groups,” said Dr. Max Teplitski, PMA Chief Science Officer. “However, we are all aware that consumption of fruits and vegetables continues to decline overall in the U.S. and we believe bold action within the Dietary Guidelines roll-out to modify consumer behavior is needed and will require coordinated policy changes. Fruits and vegetables are not just a source of fiber, vitamins and a few key nutrients, they are a key ingredient in diets that – in the long run -- will fend off a multitude of chronic illnesses. Most importantly, -- while we should acknowledge and promote the clinical benefits of produce, we need to continue to tap into the pure enjoyment and sensory gratification of eating produce: sometimes crunchy and fragrant, sometimes sweet or sour or savory. Every spoonful of each meal should bring the Joy of Fresh!”

Today’s announcement provides the public with the most up-to-date evidence on dietary behaviors that promote health and may help prevent chronic disease. The key recommendations look similar to those of the past and address two topics that garnered much attention throughout the development of the guidelines – added sugars and alcoholic beverages. DGA carried forward the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s emphasis on limiting these dietary components. 

The four overarching guidelines encourage Americans to “Make Every Bite Count” by: 

• Following a healthy dietary pattern at every life stage. 
• Customizing and enjoying nutrient-dense food and beverage choices to reflect personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations.
• Focusing on meeting food group needs with nutrient-dense foods and beverages from five food groups – vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and fortified soy alternatives, and proteins – and staying within calorie limits. 
• Limiting foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, and limiting alcoholic beverages.
• USDA’s MyPlate translates and packages these principles of dietary guidance for Americans in a way that is handy and accessible. For more information, please visit www.myplate.gov.