The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to release
new dietary guidelines for Americans in the coming months. Updated every five
years, these guidelines provide recommendations for how to eat healthfully, and
have the potential to drastically shape how and what America eats.
new dietary guidelines for Americans in the coming months. Updated every five
years, these guidelines provide recommendations for how to eat healthfully, and
have the potential to drastically shape how and what America eats.
And this year, there are major changes that could accelerate
the move away from meat.
the move away from meat.
[T]he panel that advises the
government is pushing for the recommendations to reflect what is healthy for
the environment, too. Given the huge carbon footprint of meat production,
making this change would almost certainly entail lowering the
official, government-recommended intake of meat. …… Several international and
government agencies, including the
United Nations, have spelled out the meat industry’s massive
footprint. And now the USDA could be next with new, government-backed
dietary guidelines.
As you’d expect, the meat industry has responded with
criticism, claiming that environmental concerns shouldn’t influence the
government’s dietary guidelines, and even contesting meat’s environmental
impact.
criticism, claiming that environmental concerns shouldn’t influence the
government’s dietary guidelines, and even contesting meat’s environmental
impact.
While many Americans are sure to dismiss the guidelines,
they will still have a far-reaching effect on federal feeding programs,
including school lunches.
they will still have a far-reaching effect on federal feeding programs,
including school lunches.
If finalized without changes, the new recommendations would not
only profoundly affect the health of Americans and the sustainability of our
food supply, but would also help
alleviate the suffering of countless farmed animals who are abused and
neglected on modern farms.
only profoundly affect the health of Americans and the sustainability of our
food supply, but would also help
alleviate the suffering of countless farmed animals who are abused and
neglected on modern farms.
