Federal dietary guidelines might be more influenced by industry groups than science.
An article in the British Medical Journal by journalist Nina Teicholz criticizes the review process of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee as dismissive of recent science and too reliant on industry groups.
To confront previous criticisms, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created the Nutrition Evidence Library “to methodically evaluate scientific research based on a hierarchy of evidence and a transparent grading process,” according to Mother Jones.
However, the advisory committee failed to use NEL reviews for the majority of its covered topics.
The guidelines recommend to the public what they should eat, or avoid eating, and how to create a balanced diet.
Teicholz found that the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, among others, were behind the studies used by the committee. Professional organizations had a foot in the door to influence the guidelines.
To a certain extent, that’s to be expected. Professional organizations and trade groups generally have intimate knowledge of an industry and can add a dose of reality to a more academic or removed analysis.
That benefit can be a danger as well, however. That insider knowledge can be used to benefit the groups wielding influence at the expense of everyone else.
Teicholz gave the advisory committee space to respond in her article. Advisory Chair Barbara Millen dismissed the criticism, saying that “The evidence base has never been stronger to guide solutions.”
A public hearing for the guidelines will occur October 7 in the House Committee on Agriculture, according to Reason.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown points out “the government’s general (and sometimes necessary) penchant for simplified narratives.”
The trouble with simple guidelines from the government is that health is far from simple. The nuance, improved knowledge, and diversity of people within the country make it difficult to encompass nutrition in a chart or in basic principles that people will read.
With health guidelines, the government is in a losing position no matter what approach it takes.
