The Meat Institute urged the USDA and U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services to recognize meat and poultry as essential to a healthy diet, citing flaws in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s report.
The report recommends reducing red and processed meats while increasing plant-based proteins, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies, especially in women and adolescents.
The Meat Institute emphasized that meat and poultry provide vital nutrients like iron, zinc and protein. It called for dietary guidelines that are practical, science-based and inclusive of expert input, ensuring clarity and consistency. The institute also advocated for broader scientific representation in future dietary recommendations.
