According to OMB Watch, a nonprofit government watchdog
organization, one reason for the watering down of federal
recommendations for the consumption of carbohydrates, sugars and
fats appears to be that the committee is stacked with members
who have strong ties to the food, drug and dietary supplement
industries. [2]

The committee includes members with ties to the American Council
on Science and Health (an industry-supported group that
repeatedly downplays food-related concerns, including those
about trans fats); the International Food Information Council;
Campbell Soup Company; Procter & Gamble; American Egg Board; the
Peanut Institute; the American Cocoa Research Institute; the
Sugar Association: the Kellogg Company; Warner-Lambert; National
Dairy Council; National Dairy Board; Kraft; and the Wisconsin
Milk Marketing Board. [3]

However, the actual data in the committee report supporting the
new, albeit vague, recommendations is solid, said Margo Wootan,
of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "Now they just
need to put it into language people can follow when they go to
the grocery store or to a restaurant," she told BushGreenwatch.

At issue are such vaguely worded guidelines as, "Choose fats
wisely for good health," and "Choose carbohydrates wisely for
good health." These would replace previous statements that gave
more specific advice, such as "Choose a diet that is low in
saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat," and
"Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars."

The letter, signed by 25 nutrition experts from universities
across the country, points out that most Americans "are not
nutritionists" and need clearer direction on what constitutes a
healthy diet. The nutritionists propose language that clearly
lays out what people should and should not eat, such as "eat
less cheese, beef, pork, whole and 2% milk, egg yolks, pastries
and other foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat or
cholesterol."

"People do not eat nutrients, they eat food," the letter states.
"Providing advice about which foods to eat more of or less of is
easier to understand and more effective than focusing on
nutrients."

The letter also suggests that a guideline be included telling
people to "drink fewer soft drinks and limit cake, cookies,
frozen desserts, and other foods rich in refined sugars." [4]

OMB Watch reports that Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL) has been
concerned about industry influence over federal dietary
guidelines. Fitzgerald introduced a bill last year that would
have given the responsibility of issuing guidelines to the
Institute of Medicine. "Putting the USDA in charge of dietary
advice is in some respects like putting the fox in charge of the
henhouse," he told Congress Daily. [5]

###

SOURCES:
[1] Letter to Kathryn McMurry, HHS Office of Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion, from 25 nutrition experts, Sep. 21, 2004.
[2] "Industry Influence Weakens USDA Dietary Guidelines," OMB
Watch, The OMB Watcher, Vol. 5, Oct. 4, 2004.
[3] OMBwatch, op. cit.
[4] Letter, op. cit.
[5] OMBwatch, op. cit.