WASHINGTON – The American Meat Institute was among 24 other food and beverage trade associations that signed a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to grant access to U.S.D.A.’s Nutrition Evidence Library (N.E.L.).

“Without access to the data from which the D.G.A.C. drew its conclusions and recommendations, the public may not be able to provide meaningful comments,” the letter states.


The N.E.L. data tables document the evidence reviewed by the committee to draw their conclusions and recommendations for a draft of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. Anticipating the draft report to be released in the near future, the organizations are asking for access to the data when it is released by the departments.

Citing Office of Management and Budget guidelines, the letter continues, “In anticipation of the release of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee technical report and subsequent public comment process, it is imperative for the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion to release access to the N.E.L. report in the interest of transparency and compliance with the Data Quality Act.”

Clickhereto read the letter.