Physicians Call on White House to Focus National Nutrition Policy on Less Meat, More Plant-Based Food Consumption

WASHINGTON— “With the overwhelming evidence of the role of meat and dairy in chronic disease, it is imperative the Biden-Harris administration advance policies not only to reduce and eliminate the consumption of these foods but also to encourage the further adoption of plant-based diets,” Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, said in a statement to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health today. Dr. Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, provided the statement on behalf of the nonprofit’s more than 17,000 doctor members.

“While obesity rates and diet-related diseases in the United States are on the rise, and these conditions take a disproportionate toll among people of color, nutrition and food policy in the United States still does not adequately warn against the contribution of meat and dairy products to obesity risk and its accompanying health problems,” Dr. Barnard says. “Nor does our current nutrition policy go far enough to highlight the benefits of a plant-based diet with regard to chronic disease prevention or encourage our nation’s health care professionals to learn about these benefits.” 

In preparation for the September White House Conference, the Physicians Committee conducted a meeting on June 30, 2022, of more than 100 physicians, dietitians, nurses, teachers, university professors, public health professionals, firefighters, and others concerned with our nation’s health. The primary conclusion of the listening session was overwhelming support for policy goals that would highlight the benefits of plant-based nutrition to improve our nation’s widening health disparities. 

As a result of years of scientific research and the overall consensus of this listening session, the Physicians Committee recommends that members of the White House conference act to ensure the implementation of four essential policy goals:

1. Expanding Access to Plant-Based Meals in Schools and Institutions
2. Removing Barriers to Plant-Based Milk at Schools
3. Using the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to Promote Plant-Based Diets
4. Ensuring Better Nutrition Education for Physicians

“This conference gives the administration the opportunity to champion new, assertive policies that bring the benefits of healthy, plant-based nutrition to Americans who need it most,” Dr. Barnard adds.