New Dietary Guidelines Generate Mixed Opinions

The USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion released a draft report for its 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, last week'”a report that will ultimately form the basis for 2010...s Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Within the report...s language, dietary supplements receive mixed approval.

While highlighting the benefits of some dietary supplements '"if needs cannot be met through whole foods,' the authors of the report also concluded that '"a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement does not offer health benefits to healthy Americans.'

The latter statement has prompted a public response from the Natural Products Association (Washington, DC). 'When less than 25% of the U.S. population eats the recommended serving of five fruits and vegetables daily, how are Americans to get the vitamins and minerals they need?' said NPA executive director and CEO John Gay. 'Advice to cut off a reliable and safe nutrition source, such as a daily multivitamin, doesn't seem logical or responsible.'

Aside from dietary supplement coverage, much of the report focused on addressing obesity issues and expanding access to nutritional products for Americans. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (Washington, DC) applauded such discussions, stating, 'The report wisely recommends that USDA and Health and Human Services develop a national strategy to help people eat better, including ramping up nutrition education, expanding access to fruits and vegetables, and getting industry to provide more healthful products.'