WASHINGTON, DC – The Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as the cornerstone for all Federal nutrition education and program activities, and its findings have a profound impact on future federal food policy and recommendations.

Because of the significant effect that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have on consumers, the food environment, food safety, federal nutrition assistance programs and subsequent policy and regulatory recommendations, it is imperative that only the strongest, best available evidence is used to inform and set policy.

The Corn Refiners Association, and its members appreciate the hard work of the members and staff of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, but we are very concerned that their recommendations in many cases are based on findings from general, observational studies instead of the systematic reviews from the Nutrition Education Library that were readily available. To maintain the scientific integrity of the Dietary Guidelines process, recommendations must be supported by the preponderance of scientific information and not opinions, personal beliefs or pre-determined agendas, no matter the subject.

It is extremely difficult to reverse or change public policy, once enacted. We hope that the policymakers within the USDA and HHS, as well as the committees with oversight in the House and Senate, look closely at the report and reflect on the findings that are not supported by the “preponderance” of current scientific and medical knowledge as mandated by Congress.

We appreciate the importance of delivering a final report that is irrefutably science-based.

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.