Improved Health Requires Achievable Dietary Guidelines, Says Grocery Manufacturers of America 3/29/2004
From: Stephanie K. Childs of the Grocery Manufacturers of America, 202-295-3957 or schilds@gmabrands.com WASHINGTON, March 29 -- The Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) today urged members of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to provide Americans with consistent and relevant information about nutrition. In written comments submitted in advance of the Committee's third meeting regarding planned revisions to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, GMA explained that consumers are more likely to improve their diets if they view the changes as achievable and relevant to their needs. The Committee will meet on March 30 and 31. "The fact is that most consumers become overwhelmed when confronted with advice to drastically change the way they eat or live in order to improve their health," said GMA Director of Scientific and Nutrition Policy Alison Kretser, MS, RD. "Rather than setting unrealistic nutrition standards, the Committee should consider the feasibility of adhering to the revised Guidelines. This approach could help reduce the likelihood of Americans continuing to disregard the Guidelines as being impossible to implement or achieve." GMA also provided the Committee with examples of the food and beverage industry's efforts to reduce the amount of sodium in products and to provide lower-sodium alternatives. "GMA member companies' real-world experience with the introduction and marketing of lower-sodium foods has shown that consumers consistently reject them based on taste preferences," Kretser explained. "However, our companies continue to research ways to make incremental but cumulative reductions in sodium content without compromising the taste or quality consumers expect." Additionally, GMA called on the Committee to issue recommendations consistent with other federal health initiatives like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' new Small Step campaign. ------ Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) is the world's largest association of food, beverage and consumer product companies. Led by a board of 42 Chief Executive Officers, GMA applies legal, scientific and political expertise from its more than 140 member companies to vital public policy issues affecting its membership. The association also leads efforts to increase productivity, efficiency and growth in the food, beverage and consumer products industry. With U.S. sales of more than $500 billion, GMA members employ more than 2.5 million workers in all 50 states. |