WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agricultural and food industry groups across the protein, oilseed, dairy, fruit, and specialty crop sectors are broadly welcoming the release of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, while also raising concerns about how supporting materials were developed and how certain foods and production methods are characterized.
The National Oilseed Processors Association said it appreciates the Dietary Guidelines’ approach to prioritizing added fats that provide essential fatty acids, noting that vegetable oils, sometimes referred to as “seed oils,” are a significant and affordable source of dietary fats in the American diet and around the world. The organization said their inclusion reflects the scientific consensus that vegetable oils are a safe and nutritious part of healthy eating patterns without unnecessarily increasing food prices or limiting consumer choice.
However, NOPA said some appendices rely on a narrow evidence base with limited citations, which it called concerning given recent rhetoric questioning the safety of certain vegetable oils despite an established scientific consensus. The group emphasized that dietary guidance should be informed by the full body of peer-reviewed science, particularly when recommendations can influence food costs, consumer behavior, and agricultural markets.
NOPA also pointed to the broader role oilseeds play in the food system beyond their direct nutritional value. The oilseed value chain supports the production of affordable meat, dairy, and eggs, as protein ingredients produced from oilseeds are a key component of livestock diets. Without strong demand for vegetable oils, those protein ingredients become less available, limiting livestock production and increasing costs across the food system. Oilseeds grown by American farmers, the association said, help strengthen a resilient farm-to-table supply chain that delivers nutritious and affordable food to households nationwide.
Livestock producers echoed support for the guidelines’ emphasis on protein. The National Pork Producers Council applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for releasing the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which encourage Americans to “consume a variety of protein foods from animal sources, including eggs, poultry, seafood, and red meat.”
“America’s pork producers appreciate the 2025 Dietary Guidelines putting pork front and center on the plate. They took note of producer concerns and rightly gave pork and other high-protein, nutrient-dense, and delicious meats their due when it comes to Americans’ health and dietary habits,” said Rob Brenneman, NPPC president-elect and pork producer from Washington, Iowa.
NPPC said the guidelines affirm that quintessentially American foods like pork chops and Easter hams can remain a staple of American households. The recommendations also encourage parents to introduce nutrient-dense foods, including meat, early and to continue focusing on “nutrient-dense foods such as protein foods” throughout childhood.
The organization said it has long advocated for sound science in the development of the Dietary Guidelines. NPPC pointed to the administration’s “upside down” food pyramid, which encourages consumers to feel good about enjoying protein as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Pork producers said they are proud to contribute to Americans’ wellbeing by providing readily available, affordable, and enjoyable pork products and will continue working with the Trump administration to ensure future food policy decisions support public health and keep pork a vital part of the diet.
Congressional leaders also weighed in on the new guidelines. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania called the update a positive step forward.
“The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans are a step in the right direction, and I applaud Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy for their refocus on real, whole, nutrient-dense foods that fuel our families. I am particularly encouraged to see whole milk and other full-fat dairy products brought back into the recommended diets of Americans, as these wholesome foods play an important role in Making America Healthy Again and have been pushed to the side of nutrition guidelines for too long.
“These new guidelines will empower Americans to choose the healthy foods that work best for them, whether fresh, frozen, dried, or canned. When our Dietary Guidelines emphasize putting wholesome, healthy foods on dinner tables, we all win—producers and consumers alike.”
Produce groups also welcomed the guidelines’ core messaging. USApple said it was pleased to see an emphasis on eating fruits and vegetables, in all forms, throughout the day. The guidelines recommend Americans eat two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables daily, yet only about one in ten Americans currently meets that goal. USApple said apples help bridge that gap, citing their antioxidant and fiber content, low glycemic load, and portability for busy lifestyles. While the guidelines may evolve, the organization said they continue to reaffirm the need for Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables.
Dairy producers also praised the updated recommendations. The National Milk Producers Federation thanked HHS and USDA for recognizing dairy’s critical role in a healthy diet, including continued recommendations for three servings of dairy per day and recognition of dairy’s benefits at all fat levels.
“NMPF thanks HHS and USDA for recognizing dairy’s critical role in a healthy diet in the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as shown by its continued recommendation of three servings of dairy for Americans, its recognition of dairy’s benefits at all fat levels, and dairy’s prominence in diverse diets. We are proud to benefit American health in fundamental ways, and we welcome the potential these guidelines hold for expanding upon dairy’s critical role in the diet,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud.
“As also shown in the scientific report that preceded today’s guidelines, reducing or eliminating dairy from the diet leads to undernourishment in key nutrients for millions of Americans. These guidelines encourage consumption of dairy nutrients critical to human health. Meanwhile, not all fats are created equal, and because the guidelines acknowledge this, dairy’s benefits are better reflected in this iteration of the guidelines.
“Now that the guidelines are out, the federal government will begin applying them across federal programs. We look forward to working with the entire nutrition community to ensure that dairy is best used to generate positive health outcomes for families across America.”
Oilseed growers also weighed in following the release. The American Soybean Association said the guidelines highlight the importance of increased protein consumption, including plant-based proteins such as soy-based foods, and prioritize healthy fats, including oils rich in essential fatty acids like soybean oil. However, ASA said addenda accompanying the report continue to question soybean oil extraction, which it said is scientifically proven to be safe.
“Soybean oil and soy protein play a critical role in the health and nutrition of Americans. U.S. soybean farmers are proud to grow a heart-healthy and high-protein crop that can feed the country and the world,” said ASA President and Ohio farmer Scott Metzger. “ASA appreciates that the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans acknowledge the importance of soy as part of a well-balanced diet, but we remain deeply concerned by the rhetoric and selectively cited studies regarding the health and safety of soybean oil in DGA supporting material. We look forward to continuing our work with the administration as we educate MAHA Commission leadership on the health benefits of soy-based foods and soybean oil.”
ASA said it will continue addressing claims that disparage soybean oil and advocate for science-based solutions that are healthy and safe for consumers.
