Contact: Iowa Cattlemen's Association, 515-296-2266, Contact Us.
December 30, 2024
Janet M. de Jesus, MS, RD
Designated Federal Officer,
2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee,
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20852
Docket No. HHS-OASH-2024-0017
Submitted via Regulations.gov
Re: Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) is a grassroots organization representing nearly 8,000 independent cattle producers and stakeholders affiliated with the beef cattle industry. We appreciate the opportunity to submit the following comments on the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
Iowa’s beef cattle industry is vital to the economy of our state, our producers' livelihoods and our nation’s food security. With more than 3.45 million head of cattle and calves, our industry is a strong contributor to the United States 26.547 billion pounds of beef produced for retail. As the voice of Iowa’s beef business, it is important that ICA bring forward the concerns and ideals of Iowa’s cattle producers to this topic.
ICA Believes
ICA believes that public health advice should be based on the totality of scientific evidence. There is robust and rigorous research showing evidence about beef’s essential nutrients and the foundational, positive role it plays in health as a preferred protein food in a variety of healthy diets for all Americans.
Beef’s role in a nutritious diet
Lean beef is a well-established healthy option for a balanced diet. It delivers essential nutrients and high-quality protein with fewer calories compared to available non-meat alternatives. Studies indicate that beef outperforms plant-based options in supporting muscle health and cognitive development. It aligns with heart health, aids in weight management, and fulfills the nutritional needs of vulnerable groups such as adolescents, pregnant women, and older adults. It is important that Americans have the flexibility to choose and enjoy nutrient dense foods and dietary patterns within calorie goals informed by nutrition guidance. Recommendations to reduce red meat consumption, including beef, could endanger these at-risk populations, particularly women, children, teens and seniors.
As our nation grapples with obesity and chronic diseases, beef can be part of the solution. A single 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides nearly half of the recommended daily protein intake, along with 10 essential nutrients like iron and B vitamins, all for under 170 calories. ICA remains committed to working with NCBA to ensure that robust evidence supporting beef’s beneficial role in health is available to future secretaries and taken into account in the upcoming dietary guidelines.
Additionally, cognitive development and function of children is supported through nutrition and micronutrients found in animal-sourced foods (ASFs), such as beef. There is significant research showing the importance of consuming ASFs like beef that supports the brain development and function of children. The recommendations to reduce consumption of red meat puts child development and cognition in the United States at risk for future generations.
Recommendation
As not only a cattle producer, but also a father and consumer, it is disheartening to read the recommendations of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The reduction in beef in a diet will not Make America Healthy Again. There is ample evidence of the role beef plays in a healthy diet which has been completely disregarded by the committee. As president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, I am committed to sharing the importance of beef in a diet and I know my fellow board members are committed to doing the same.
I had the chance to speak to a fellow cattle producer who is also a registered dietician, Rachel Sweeney. She said this, “as a cattle producer, Registered Dietitian, and mom of two, I prioritize including beef in my family's meals each week. When my son, Thomas, turned 6 months old and started showing signs of readiness to eat, I knew beef was going to be one of his first foods. Not only is it delicious, but it also is a good source of iron, zinc, choline, and protein, which are key to supporting growing bodies and healthy brain development. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recognized this as well in their policy statement reaffirmed in October 2023.”
Conclusion
The Iowa cattle industry is committed to working with government officials, future agency and department secretaries, scientists, and health professionals to ensure that the dietary guidelines are fully informed by the spectrum of evidence of beef in a healthy diet to promote realistic, sustainable, and healthy dietary patterns for all Americans. Again, ICA appreciates the opportunity to share comments on this matter. Questions related to this comment may be directed to Kelli Wicks, Director of Government Relations at (515) 296-2266.
Respectfully,
Rob Medberry,
President, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association