The ag and food industry, particularly the meat, dairy and produce sectors, welcomed the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, but soybean growers were alarmed by statements calling into question the potential for seed oils to harm Americans’ health. Some sectors raised concerns about the focus on highly processed foods.
While the guidelines themselves did not target seed oils, which Make America Healthy Again advocates have said cause inflammation, appendices to the DGA singled them out for further study.
“Seed oils contain unsaturated fatty acids, which are more prone to thermal oxidation than saturated fatty acids,” says the document's Scientific Foundation for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. “[T]he evidence indicates that thermally generated lipid oxidation products are bioavailable when ingested through food, and that they may impair cardiometabolic health.”
Shortly after the guidelines and appendices were released, the American Soybean Association fired back: “The new guidelines highlight the importance of increased protein consumption, including plant-based proteins such as soy-based foods,” the group’s press release says. “They also emphasize prioritizing healthy fats, including oils rich in essential fatty acids like soybean oil. However, the report’s addenda continue to call into question the process of soybean oil extraction, which is scientifically proven to be safe for human health.”
“ASA appreciates that the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans acknowledge the importance of soy as part of a well-balanced diet, but we remain deeply concerned by the rhetoric and selectively cited studies regarding the health and safety of soybean oil in DGA supporting material,” ASA President and Ohio farmer Scott Metzger said.
The National Oilseed Processors Association said in a statement that the some of the "appendices rely on a narrow evidence base with limited citations, which is concerning given the administration’s rhetoric questioning the safety of certain vegetable oils despite an established scientific consensus."
Dietary guidelines recommend consumption of 'real food'
The International Dairy Foods Association expressed concern about the new focus on highly processed foods while welcoming the emphasis on protein consumption.
IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes said the guidelines “highlight dairy’s central role as a protein source alongside healthy meats, eggs, seafood, and other protein foods.” But he also said in a press release that the reference to highly processed foods could confuse consumers.
“Many nutritious, safe, and essential foods—including milk, yogurt, and cheese—undergo processing to ensure quality, safety, and accessibility,” he said. “Establishing dietary guidance around an undefined or inconsistently applied term risks discouraging consumption of nutrient-rich foods that are vital to public health.”
The fruit and vegetable industry was pleased with the new DGAs. Mollie Van Lieu, vice president of nutrition and health at the International Fresh Produce Association, said the DGAs "reinforce the critical role fruits and vegetables play in overall health.”
“Scientific evidence consistently shows that fruits and vegetables should make up the majority of what people eat," Van Lieu said in a news release. "The administration’s focus on whole foods is an opportunity to increase fruit and vegetable intake, as they are the most nutrient-dense foods available.”
A leading consumer advocacy group, the Center for Science in the Public Interest welcomed the guidelines' embrace of "longstanding limits on saturated fat and sodium" and its emphasis on "fruits, vegetables, whole foods, and water consumption." But CSPI criticized the emphasis on "animal protein, butter, and full-fat dairy, guidance that undermines both the saturated fat limit and the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s science-based advice to emphasize plant-based proteins to reduce cardiovascular disease risk."
The meat and dairy industries "may be excited about the new food pyramid," but "the American public should not be; the guidance on protein and fats in this DGA is, at best, confusing, and, at worst, harmful to the one in four Americans who are directly impacted by the DGA through federal nutrition programs," CSPI said in a statement.
Here is how policymakers, and groups inside and outside the food and ag industries, responded to the guidelines:
CAPITOL HILL
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa.: "The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans are a step in the right direction, and I applaud Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy for their refocus on real, whole, nutrient-dense foods that fuel our families. I am particularly encouraged to see whole milk and other full-fat dairy products brought back into the recommended diets of Americans, as these wholesome foods play an important role in Making America Healthy Again and have been pushed to the side of nutrition guidelines for too long.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark.: “These updates provide easy-to-understand nutritional information for school meals and other federal nutrition programs and helps Americans make healthy, informed choices. I appreciate the work of the Advisory Committee and the efforts of USDA and HHS to develop guidance to improve public health. Ensuring that nutrition recommendations remain balanced, practical and firmly rooted in evidence-based science is critical. Recognizing the role of nutrient-dense foods, including meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, in a well-balanced diet will help us meet our nutritional needs while promoting overall health.”
INDUSTRY
Corn Refiners Association, President and CEO John Bode, commenting on how the guidelines' recommendation to avoid highly processed foods ignored the fact that the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's scientific report concluded there was not a scientific basis for recommending against processed food consumption:
“For the first time in 40 years, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have disregarded the scientific report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. This deviation from past practice undermines both the credibility and scientific foundation of the Dietary Guidelines. For future editions of the Dietary Guidelines to be effective, the recommendations of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine should be utilized to enhance the scientific rigor of this important process.”
Meat Institute, President and CEO Julie Anna Potts: “We are pleased the Dietary Guidelines recommend Americans prioritize protein and that families can get that protein from nutrient dense meat and poultry.” She applauded the “leadership” of Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy in simplifying the guidelines and “making it clear that meat is a protein powerhouse which plays a vital role in healthy diet.”
National Barley Growers Association: "The guidelines recognize whole grains such as barley and note that 'the stronger efficacy of cereal fiber suggests prioritizing sources like oats and barley, particularly in high-GI diets.”
"Barley is the primary grain for beer production, which supports thousands of American farmers and is often enjoyed with meals and social gatherings. Following the release of the guidelines, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, noted the important social benefits that alcohol can provide to overall health.
“Barley is an important part of American agriculture with a strong tradition and can contribute to healthy diets and a healthier and happier society,” NBGA President Mitch Konen said.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: “The Dietary Guidelines released today are simplified and more consumer-friendly than previous cycles. The streamlined approach taken by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. keeps science-backed recommendations at the heart of the DGAs, but makes them far more practical for the families, caregivers, school administrators, and medical professionals who are making decisions every day about what to feed our children, seniors and Americans of all ages.”
National Chicken Council, Ashley Peterson, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs: “Combined with its nutritional value, positive health benefits, popularity, versatility, affordability, and environmental sustainability, chicken is a pillar of the protein subgroup, and we’re pleased that is reflected in the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Chicken is back at the top of the new Food Pyramid – where it belongs.”
National Milk Producers Federation, President & CEO Gregg Doud: “As also shown in the scientific report that preceded today’s guidelines, reducing or eliminating dairy from the diet leads to undernourishment in key nutrients for millions of Americans. These guidelines encourage consumption of dairy nutrients critical to human health. Meanwhile, not all fats are created equal, and because the guidelines acknowledge this, dairy’s benefits are better reflected in this iteration of the guidelines.”
National Pork Producers Council, President-elect Rob Brenneman: "America's pork producers appreciate the 2025 Dietary Guidelines putting pork front and center on the plate. They took note of producer concerns and rightly gave pork and other high-protein, nutrient-dense, and delicious meats their due when it comes to Americans' health and dietary habits.”
National Turkey Federation, President and CEO Leslee Oden: "The DGA’s emphasis on animal protein as a cornerstone of healthy, balanced dietary patterns aligns with our shared goal of helping American families thrive through practical, affordable and accessible nutrition guidance. Turkey plays an important role in helping Americans meet the key nutritional goals outlined in the Dietary Guidelines.”
North American Millers' Association: "The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans represent a major shift in the government’s approach to nutrition. For centuries, milled grains have been foundational to diets and health. NAMA urges the administration to look more closely at the beneficial role that fortified and enriched grains play in supplying critical nutrients like fiber, iron, and folate. Stigmatizing grain foods as 'highly' processed undermines U.S. farmers and the high-quality, American-grown products they make possible. The grain foods supply chain delivers safe, accessible, and affordable nutrition to millions of Americans. NAMA will seek opportunities to engage in support of all grain foods as the implementation process for the new dietary guidelines moves forward in federal nutrition policy over the coming years."
United Egg Producers, President and CEO Chad Gregory: “The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are important, and we appreciate the recognition of the value of eggs in the 2026 guidelines, which make both whole foods and protein a priority. One egg alone has six grams of protein, and the protein quality of an egg is so high, that eggs are often used as the standard for measuring the protein value of other foods.”
USA Pulses, CEO Tim McGreevy: “The new dietary guidelines clearly affirm the essential role of beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas in improving the diets of American families. Pulses are nutritional powerhouses that serve double duty as both a protein and vegetable source.”
Western Growers, Senior Vice President of Science De Ann Davis: “The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines unveiled by [HHS] and [USDA] reaffirm our own motto that Western Growers members ‘grow the best medicine in the world.' Our specialty crop growers are proud to put wholesome, nutritious food on American tables and provide better health for us all.”
OTHER GROUPS
School Nutrition Association, President Stephanie Dillard: “Congress has a tremendous opportunity to improve the health of America by investing resources to help schools expand scratch cooking, serve more fresh, local foods and further positive momentum in cafeterias.”
Center for Biological Diversity, Leah Kelly, food and agriculture policy specialist: “Trump’s Big Ag-friendly team provided unsound nutritional advice by promoting red meat, full-fat dairy, and beef tallow in the Dietary Guidelines. They’re rejecting longstanding scientific consensus and making up their own industry-friendly fantasy that will harm America’s health. Our healthy and sustainable model provides the evidence-based guidance people need to make well-informed dietary choices that are better for themselves, their families and the planet.”
Farm Action, President Angela Huffman: “It’s encouraging to see the Dietary Guidelines put whole, minimally processed foods back at the center. The federal government is the largest purchaser of food in the country, and these guidelines influence what schools, the military, and other institutions buy with public dollars. That purchasing power shapes the markets farmers depend on.
For more news, go to Agri-Pulse.com.
