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Food leaders say more work is needed to help Americans consume whole foods
Top food trade association leaders agree more work needs to be done to help Americans consume healthy foods before plant-based or cell-based foods standards are set in federal nutrition programs.
Head of the International Fresh Produce Association Cathy Burns says there is a huge gap between what kids and adults are eating today and the nation’s dietary guidelines.
“If we don’t change the eating habits of the next generation, this will be the first generation to not live as long as their parents,” she says.
Burns would like to see more energy spent on increasing the current consumption of fruits and vegetables and cites a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention study that found only one out of ten Americans eat the recommended servings of produce per day.
International Dairy Foods Association CEO Michael Dykes says their members recognize technology is creating food innovations at a faster rate than ever and regulations are not keeping pace.
“I think this needs to be based on nutrition and needs to be based on data,” he says.
Burns says the economics also must work and currently the largest barrier to foods in federal nutrition programs is cost.
Both spoke during a recent Food & Ag Policy Dialogues webinar on nutrition.
