Biden Administration Poised to Miss Opportunity to Finalize New Food Guidelines

 Biden Administration Poised to Miss Opportunity to Finalize New Food Guidelines

A months-long process to determine the federal government's food recommendations for the next five years is now expected to extend into 2025. As a result, the Biden administration will likely miss the opportunity to finalize new guidelines before a potential shift in leadership following the 2024 election.

This delay marks an unusual turn of events, as previous updates have been completed just before presidential transitions—such as in 2005, when the guidelines were finalized days before the inauguration, and in 2020, when revisions were completed a month before President Biden took office.

The food guidelines are a key battleground in Washington, as they impact a wide range of federal policies, including nutrition labeling and school lunch standards. Traditionally, these guidelines are shaped by a scientific report from a panel of external experts.

That advisory committee has been working since last year, grappling with a host of controversial issues. Its recommendations are not expected to be finalized until mid-December. After that, it typically takes several more months to publish the final guidelines.

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The timeline for this process was set long before the 2024 election, according to a person familiar with the matter. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declined to comment on the specifics of the timeline, but confirmed that the report is expected "later in the year." The spokesperson emphasized HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s commitment to "transparency, equity, and scientific integrity" throughout the process.

Former officials have said it is virtually impossible for the Biden administration to finalize the update before leaving office, given the complexity of the process. Key tasks remain, including vetting the findings, updating public health messaging through tools like MyPlate, and integrating public and agency feedback before HHS and USDA can reach consensus.

"This is a very heavy lift, given the complexity and the different perspectives of the various departments," said Dr. Brett Giroir, who oversaw HHS’s role in the last update under the Trump administration.

One contentious area of debate centers on a recent proposal to emphasize plant-based protein sources as part of a broader shift toward "nutrient-dense, plant-based meals." On the campaign trail, former President Trump accused Biden of trying to "stop people from eating red meat," and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association has called the recommendations "unhinged" and "impractical."

Under the current drafts, beans, peas, and lentils could be promoted as protein sources alongside more traditional options like meat, while red meat would be de-emphasized due to health concerns such as cardiovascular disease. The committee’s analyses have concluded that reducing red meat—especially processed varieties—is one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes while still meeting nutritional goals.

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"Red meats, whether processed or not, were the ones that needed to be reduced most," said Christopher Gardner, a committee member. "So I would've put them at the very bottom of the list."

As the 2024 election approaches, speculation has grown about how the incoming administration might alter or reverse these guidelines. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for example, has highlighted his desire to reform the committee as part of his "Make America Healthy Again" platform, advocating for a shift away from ultra-processed foods in school lunches. If Kennedy, or another new official, were to take office, the new administration would have the authority to revise or override the committee's recommendations.

"If Congress wanted a group of scientists to make the final decisions on dietary guidelines, they would have written that into law," said Brandon Lipps, a former USDA deputy under secretary. "The committee makes recommendations, and the secretaries at HHS and USDA have the final say."

Completely disregarding the committee’s work would be unprecedented, although previous administrations have sometimes deviated from or adjusted certain recommendations. Still, experts like Giroir argue that keeping the process transparent and rooted in scientific consensus is the best way forward.

"The process is not perfect, but I believe having open, transparent scientific committees is the best way to move forward, and everyone knows where the guidance is coming from," Giroir said.

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