Following recent testimony given to the House Agriculture Committee, Cabinet Secretaries Tom Vilsack and Sylvia Burwell gave assurances that lean meat will be in the final package of dietary guidelines. South Dakota Beef Industry Council Director of Nutrition and Consumer Information Holly Swee is pleased the Secretaries are backing lean meat in those guidelines.
Swee says research done by the Beef Check off organization proves lean meat is a critical part of a healthy diet.
Both Ag Secretary Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell indicated the dietary recommendation committee went beyond its scope in including sustainability and environmental concerns in their proposal. Swee says that discussion needs to take place but not within the guidelines.
The final dietary guidelines are expected to be released later this year.