Physicians Group Seeks to Block Dietary Guidelines

January 24, 2000

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group that has come under fire numerous times from the food industry and other medical personnel, has requested a preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court against release of the revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For its stand on dairy products, the International Dairy Foods Association says the PCRM is "once again circulating misinformation."

A hearing is scheduled for Friday on the motion for an injunction.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, along with the Food Guide Pyramid, provide nutritional advice for all consumers and form the basis for federal food programs. PCRM says the guidelines favor meat and dairy products, "despite growing evidence of health risks associated with these products."

Earlier, PCRM charged that USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services violated the law on advisory committees by naming members to the committee on the guidelines. "At least six of the 11 members of the...advisory committee have or have had financial links to the meat, dairy and egg industries," said PCRM.

The group also has charged that the guidelines need revisions to take into account the health needs of minority groups who have a greater proportion of lactose-intolerant individuals.

In its statement, IDFA said, "A broad body of scientific data continues to demonstrate that dairy products are excellent sources of nutrients that are critical to disease prevention and normal physical growth and health. Dairy's role in preventing osteoporosis, in strengthening bones and in providing protein, calcium and seven other essential nutrients has long been established and lauded by the nutrition and science community."

IDFA says PCRM is "particularly irresponsible" in its position on lactose-intolerant minorities. "This attack is blatantly untrue and particularly irresponsible given that dairy products are an economical, widely available source of excellent nutrition for all Americans. Reputable scientific organizations have not backed up PCRM's ridiculous claims about lactose intolerance."

For consumers who are lactose intolerant, says IDFA, there are lactose-free dairy products which contain the same nutrients as regular dairy products.