Over 300 PhDs, Doctors and Other Healthcare Practitioners Urge USDA-HHS To Delay Dietary Guidelines Report & Address Allegations by Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Member(s)

For Immediate Release
June 16, 2020
Contact:  press@nutritioncoalition.us 

 Open Letter Requests Expert Report Delay to Ensure Adequate Time for a Thorough Investigation of Expert Committee Member(s)’ Allegations 

Washington D.C. – The Nutrition Coalition, a group that aims to bring rigorous science to nutrition policy, today released an open letter signed by over 300* PhD’s, doctors and other healthcare practitioners —representing a wide-range of specialties, practicing in communities across the country—calling on the Secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (USDA-HHS) to delay the expert report by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), due out tomorrow, to ensure adequate time for a thorough investigation of allegations made by one or more members of the DGAC about the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) process.  

The doctors’ letter comes after allegations by one or more member(s) of the DGAC blew the whistle, expressing extensive concerns about the Committee’s process, as detailed in a letter by the Nutrition Coalition. 

The MD/PhD letter urges USDA-HHS, which together oversee the Guidelines, to seriously consider the allegations made by this/these DGAC member(s) in order to ensure that the DGA is grounded in a rigorous scientific methodology and includes all relevant evidence on nutrition and chronic illness. 

The open letter states: “It is not acceptable for the 2020 DGAC to ignore all studies on weight loss and all studies on low-carbohydrate diets. It is also not acceptable for scientific reviews to end in 2016 when it is now 2020. Most importantly, we think it imperative to publish a Dietary Guidelines that addresses the needs of all Americans, including those with diet-related metabolic diseases.”  

“There are now multiple voices calling for a delay in the DGAC expert report. These voices include medical and nutrition professionals, member(s) of the DGA Committee itself, and a Member of the Congress--all raising concerns about the Dietary Guidelines process. The allegations are serious and cannot be ignored. USDA-HHS should delay publication of tomorrow’s expert report to address and potentially remediate these issues.” stated Nina Teicholz, Executive Director of the Nutrition Coalition. 

Other groups have expressed similar concerns. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, submitted public comments elaborating on concerns with the scientific process, including the lack of a transparent methodology and the problem of excluding evidence--and urged a delay in publication of the DGAC report. In its letter, the Academy stated, “the critical work of developing, reviewing, and drawing conclusions from systematic reviews should not sacrifice quality for alacrity. Systematic reviews should not be developed with less-transparency or more limited engagement of experts than was previously used.”  

The Low-Carb Action Network (L-CAN) also sent a letter focusing on the exclusion of virtually all low-carbohydrate clinical trials as well as nearly all studies on weight loss. 

Also last week, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations, sent a letter to USDA-HHS secretaries, echoing concerns about the exclusion of evidence and calling for a delay of the DGAC report.  

In 2017, the National Academics of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) completed a Congressionally mandated review of the DGA process. NASEM’s two reports identified a series of recommendations that needed to be adopted to ensure the integrity of the Guidelines. However, in 2019, USDA responded that due to “time and resource constraints” it would not adopt many of the NASEM’s recommendations.  

“With 60 percent of Americans diagnosed with one or more chronic illness, the guidelines have self-evidently been unable to flatten the curve on the rates of these diet-related diseases. Given that data across countries show that people with these diseases affected by Covid-19 have higher rates of hospitalizations and critical care, and with cases of the virus again on the rise in some communities, the need for nutrition policy that is effective and trustworthy is all the more important,” said Teicholz. 

The DGAC expert report is due out tomorrow, June 17, 2020. The full text of the letter can be found below and linked here.

*Updated June 19, 2020

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The Honorable Sonny Perdue 
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture   
Washington DC, 20250   

The Honorable Alex Azar   
Secretary    
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services   
Washington DC, 20201  

Dear Secretaries Perdue and Azar:  

 We, the undersigned PhD's, doctors, and other healthcare practitioners would like to express our concerns about recent allegations concerning the process for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) made by one or more members of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) and outlined in a recent letter published by the Nutrition Coalition.   

This/these DGAC members describe significant flaws in the process that determines our federal nutrition policy. We know, for instance, that almost all studies on weight loss have been excluded from consideration. We also know that virtually all studies on carbohydrate restriction have been excluded. Some reviews of the science only include the science up to 2016, despite a Congressional mandate that the Dietary Guidelines include a comprehensive review of the science “that is current at the time.” The member(s) of the DGAC also allege that the committee has not been given enough time to do its work and has, essentially, had to cut corners.  

As you know, the Dietary Guidelines is a critically important policy that impacts virtually every American, determining basic nutritional advice and federal feeding programs for millions.   

In light of the severity of these concerns, we are requesting that the allegations be investigated to ensure that the next iteration of the DGA be based on a comprehensive, rigorous and reliable review of the science so that this policy can be in the best interest of all Americans. We also echo calls by others to delay submission of the DGAC expert report to the federal agencies overseeing the Guidelines, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (USDA-HHS), in order to provide adequate time for an investigation and remediation of the problems identified.  

Nutrition is among the most important factors determining individual health, yet there is little transparency around the process and the science that underpins the government’s vastly influential nutrition policy. As doctors, we know how much our professional associations rely on these guidelines to provide information to help our patients become healthier. If this information is not based on the most current or most rigorous science—or indeed, excludes large bodies of science, as seems to be the case—then all healthcare practitioners will be unable to use these Guidelines as a trustworthy source of information for our patients.   

With this in mind, we would also like to acknowledge the crucial role that nutrition policy has had in shaping our nation’s metabolic health. The guidelines were first issued 40 years ago, yet since that time, America has seen skyrocketing rates of chronic, nutrition-related diseases. Rates of obesity and diabetes have reached record highs, with the Guidelines unable to address these epidemics.    

Given these concerns, it is clear that the allegations by one or more DGAC member(s) should be taken seriously to ensure that the Guidelines are trustworthy and based on the most current, rigorous science to ensure better health in America.   

We urge government officials who oversee this policy to take these allegations seriously and ensure that the Guidelines are grounded in a rigorous scientific methodology that includes all relevant evidence on nutrition and chronic illness. It is not acceptable for the 2020 DGAC to ignore all studies on weight loss and all studies on low-carbohydrate diets. It is also not acceptable for scientific reviews to end in 2016 when it is now 2020. Most importantly, we think it imperative to publish a Dietary Guidelines that addresses the needs of all Americans, including those with diet-related metabolic diseases. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.  

Sincerely, 

Alan Vanderwalde, MD, MBA 
Alexander Leyte-Vidal, DDS 
Alicia Reasoner, DO 
Amir Weiss, MD 
Amor Santiago, DPM, MPH, CMT 
Amy Berger, MS 
Amy Hearne, MD 
Ana Childers, MD, FAPA 
Anant Vinjamoori, MD 
Andrea Pollema, MD 
Andrew Oswari, MD 
Andy Phung, DO 
Angela A. Stanton, PhD 
Angela Latta, NP-C 
Anne Murphy, RN 
Anne Perez, MA 
Anthony Auriemma, MD, JD 
April Gunn, DO 
Audra Cook, PhD 
Bettina Paek, MD 
Biljana Simikic, DO 
Brent Creighton, PhD 
Brian Lenzkes, MD 
Brittanie Volk, PhD, RD 
Brittany Ashenfelter, DrPH, ABD, MS, BS, AAS, CDA 
Candice Tung, MD 
Carl Knpoke, MD, AAFP, FOMA 
Carlos E. Moreyra, MD 
Carol N. Rowsemitt, PhD, RN, FNP 
Caroline Roberts, MD 
Carrie Sloan, RN 
Caryn Zinn, PhD 
Catherine Eileen Shanahan, MD 
Catherine Metzgar Lo, PhD, RD 
Catherine Saena, PhD, RD 
Catriona Walsh, MB Bch, BAO, MA 
Celia Egan, MD 
Charles Cavo, DO 
Chris A. Knobbe, MD 
Christa Bowdler, RN, BSN 
Christina Minger, Ed.D 
Christina Nguyen, MD 
Christina van Hilst, DNP
Christine Najjar, MD
Christine Smith, PhD 
Christopher Palmer, MD 
Christopher Schoeb, MBBS, FSEM, MRCGP, DRCOG, MSc SEM, ACA, MEng 
Christy Kesslering, MD 
Daniel Flaming, MD 
Darren Schmidt, DC 
David Brooke Miller, MD 
David C. Pendergrass, PhD 
David Harrison, MD 
David S. Weed, PsyD 
David Scupham, PhD 
Debbie Nighswonger, ARNP, FNP- Certified 
Deborah Gordon, MD 
Dena O’Leary, MD, MSCTS 
Denise Kennedy, BSN 
Derek Marks, PhD 
Diane M. Williams, MD 
Dina Griauzde, MD 
Donald R. David, PhD 
Dwight Lundell, MD 
Earl Schott, MD 
Eashwarran Kohilathas, MD 
Elie Jarrouge, MD 
Ellen Belesky, MBA 
Emery Cole, DMD, FAGD 
Emily Norbryhn, RD 
Eric M. Thorn, MD 
Eric Sodicoff, MD 
Eric Westman, MD, MHS 
Erin Gray, ADN 
Eugene J. Casale, PhD 
Eyal Asor, MD, PhD 
Frank D. Dumont, MD, FACP 
Gary Fettke, MB, BS, FRACS, FA 
Gemma Hallowell, MSC 
Georgia Ede, MD 
Georgina Bustamante, MD 
Georgina Pujol-Busquets, PhD Student 
Gregory L. Kelso, MD 
Gregory Yurek, PhD 
Ian C. Booth, MBBCh 
Indrani B. Raman, MD 
Jack Cady, MPT 
Jake Kushner, MD 
James Bailes Jr, MD 
James Bailes Jr., MD 
James Philip McCarter, MD, PhD 
Jami Maxson, MD 
Jamie Glen House, MD 
Janae Cywes, MS 
Janelle Lindow, DO 
Jasmine Moghissi, MD 
Jason Murdock, MD 
Jay Wrigley, MD 
Jeff Stanley, MD 
Jeff Volek, PhD, RD 
Jeffrey Harper, PhD 
Jeffry Gerber, MD 
Jennifer Greer, MD 
Jennifer McCabe Lentz, MD 
Jeremiah Eisenschenk, MD 
Jessiva Inwood, MD 
Jill Knopoff, MS 
Joan Donaldson, RN 
Joe Rigdon, PhD 
John Burd, PhD 
John Cripps, MD, FRCSC 
John D. Stephens, MD 
John Hill, MBCHB 
John Stephens, MD 
John Wohlwend, MD 
Jonathan Bonnet, MD, MPH 
Jonathan Miller, DC 
Joseph A. Lovely, PharmD 
Juan Carlos Torres Urrutia, MD 
Julio C. Mandojana, PhD 
Justin Tondt, MD 
Karen Oaks, FNP 
Kari Rossow, PA-C 
Kate Rheaume, Doctor of Nursing 
Katharine Morrison, MB, ChB, MRCGP 
Katie Thompson, DC 
Keith Wright, MD 
Kelly Johnson, PhD 
Ken D. Berry, MD 
Ken Dannett, PhD 
Kenneth Brookler, MD, MS 
Kenneth Peters, MD 
Kenneth Power, MD 
Kirsten Schwartz, PhD 
Kissi Blackwell, MD 
Kristin Baier, MD 
Lauren Curnutt, PharmD, BS 
Leroy Evan Custer, MD 
Lisa McGonigal, MD, MPH 
Lori Shemek, PhD 
Ma. Niña Milagros Oliveros Eala, MD 
Manolis Meramveliotakis, MD 
Mappy Delgado, MD 
Mariela Glandt, MD 
Mark Cucuzzella, MD 
Mark Holtschlag, DC 
Mark Nelson, MD 
Mary Braud, MD 
Mary Dan Eades, MD 
Meg Ramstad, APRN-C 
Meghann Blankenship, MD 
Melissa Hague, MD 
Michael Fox, MD 
Michael R. Eades, MD 
Michael Taylor, MBBS, FRACGP, FACRRM, FACEM 
Michelle Enmark, DDS 
Mihaela Telecan, DVM, MS, RD 
Munazza Anis, MD  
Nancy A Noyce, MD, MPH 
Nancy Orchard, MD 
Nancy Palmer, MD 
Naomi Johnson, MPH 
Naomi Parrella, MD, FAAFP, Dipl. ABOM 
Neil Billeaud, MD 
Neil J. McCarthy, PhD 
Nicholas Pennings, DO 
Nicole Recine, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC 
Normal Robillard, PhD 
Parvez Dara, MD 
Patricia A. Champion, Ed.D. 
Patrick Ticman, MD 
Paul Alan Mabry, MD 
Peggy Holloway, PhD 
Pentti Raaste, MD 
Peter Curka, DO 
Peter J. Ballerstedt, PhD 
Peter J. Jansen, MD 
Philip Kim, RN 
Philip Ovadia, MD 
Philippe Hujoel, PhD 
Radley Griffin, MD 
Rajashri Patil, MD 
Ramon Issa, MD 
Randy Morris, DNP, RN, CPAP, CAPA, BCPA 
Richard A. Jewell, PhD 
Richard Amerling, MD 
Richard Feinman, PhD 
Richard Mathias, MD, FRCPC 
Richard Urso, MD 
Rita Nawar, MD 
Robb Fulton, DO 
Robert A. DeSimone, MD 
Robert Cywes, MD, PhD 
Robert Hasselbrack, MD, MS 
Robert M. Hanse, MD 
Robert Schulman, MD 
Robert Wallach, DO 
Robert. E. Ratnert, MD 
Ron Giles, DC 
Ronald Primas, MD 
Ronesh Sinha, MD 
Rosa G. Martinez, PA-C 
Ross Zimmerman, PhD 
Ryan McCallum, MD, CCFP, Dip ABOM 
Sabrina Markese, MD 
Sarah Hallberg, DO 
Sarah Smith, MD 
Scott Higgins, PhD 
Sean Bourke, MD 
Seneca Carrillo, MD 
Shaminie Athinarayanan, PhD 
Shawn Baker, MD 
Sheryl Leventhal, MD 
Shree R. Mulay, MD 
Stefanus Snyman, MB, ChB, MPhil, DOM 
Stephen C. Riggs, MD 
Stephen Park, MD 
Susan Flagel, DO 
Susan Morton-Pradhan, MD 
Susan Reinwald, PhD 
Susan Wolver, MD 
Suzanne Gokavi, MSW 
Thea Vanags, PhD 
Tim Logemann, MD 
Timothy Lawton, MD, FAAFP, MS 
Timothy M. O’Dowd, MB, BCh, BAO, FRCOG FRANZCOG 
Tom McGinn, MD 
Tony Hampton, MD 
Traci Regner, FNTP 
Travis Einertson, DVM 
Tro Kalayjian, DO 
Uma Pisharody, MD 
Vann E. Schaffner, MD 
Wendy Pogozelski, PhD 
Wesley Eichorn, DO 
William V. Ronan, DO, MBA, FAAP 

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