A bipartisan group of senators voiced opposition to a possible reclassification of potatoes as a grain instead of a vegetable under the forthcoming 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the senators questioned the scientific justification for such a change and expressed concern about the impact it could have on consumer nutrition.
Fourteen senators signed on to the letter, including Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. Collins is the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The senators represent several of the top potato producing states, including Idaho, Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, Colorado and Maine.
The reclassification of potatoes would lead to confusion among consumers, retailers, growers and the whole supply chain, the senators wrote. It would also make it more difficult for schools to affordably meet vegetable consumption recommendations under the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs.
The senators also cited a 2013 study from the National Library of Medicine that found potatoes contribute vital nutrients such as potassium, calcium and fiber.
“The scientific justification behind the assertion that potatoes are not vegetables is not strong, and there are documented nutritional benefits of potatoes,” senators wrote. “Therefore, we strongly oppose any reclassification of potatoes to the grain category under the DGAs.”
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The letter echoes concerns expressed earlier by the potato industry on how the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s work will impact spuds.
The DGAC, which is tasked with preparing the scientific report recommending revisions to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans prepared by USDA and HHS, previously said it is not considering a reclassification. It is conducting an evidence review, which includes systematic reviews and food pattern modeling.
"The committee is looking at the implications for nutrient intakes when specific individual staple grains are emphasized; or when grains are replaced with other staple carbohydrate foods," Janet de Jesus, nutrition advisor at the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at HHS, said in an email. "This work is part of the committee’s broader effort to apply a health equity lens to its scientific review and is responsive to public comments."
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