WASHINGTON, DC -- Yesterday, USA Rice Vice President of Domestic Promotion Cameron Jacobs testified on the recently released Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report which will inform the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).
He spoke via video conference to representatives from Health & Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and focused on three components of the report: the recommendations for grains (whole, enriched, and refined), the importance of flexibility for cultural-based eating patterns and consumers in underserved communities, and the DGAC efforts to increase whole grain consumption by suggesting to fortify whole grains.
Jacobs reiterated the nutritional benefits associated with milled and whole grain rice as a staple food and supported the report’s conclusion that both whole grains and milled rice support achieving and maintaining a healthy diet. He also noted the role rice plays in providing under-consumed nutrients, rice’s ability to drive the consumption of other healthy foods like vegetables, eggs, lean meat, and legumes, and the affordability of rice.
Due to the report’s push for more whole grain consumption, Jacobs explained the differences between whole grain rice and milled rice in application highlighting the longer cook times, shorter shelf life, accessibility, and price differences between white and brown rice. He expressed concern at increasing whole grain requirements until American consumers meet the currently recommended whole grain intake levels, and suggested an increase will likely result in declines in intakes of nutrients of public health concern.
He emphasized that USA Rice supports the current grain recommendation that provides the right mix of whole and refined grains which allows flexibility for cultural eating practices, underserved communities, and those with gluten allergies and diet sensitivities.
Lastly, Jacobs addressed the report’s recommendation of exploring fortifying whole grains and dismissed the suggestion as a good thought, but not possible in application.
The agencies will now take the DGAC Scientific Report under consideration as officials draft the final guidance. Publication of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is expected sometime later this year under the Trump Administration.
Read more about the DGAC Scientific Report
here.