FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 7, 2015
CONTACT: Laramie Adams
CELL: 512-922-7328 

Fort Worth, Texas – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released their final 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (DGAC) initial draft report removed “lean meat” from the list of foods that can be included in a healthful dietary pattern; however, USDA and HHS decided to add lean meat back into the final report after closer review of nutritional science and many public comments. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) President Pete Bonds made the following statement after the report was released. 

“We are pleased the final Dietary Guidelines include lean beef and recognize its importance, along with fruits and vegetables, in a healthy diet,” said Bonds. “Lean beef is a healthy protein source, and we encourage consumers to incorporate these final guidelines into their daily diets.  

“TSCRA appreciates its members who submitted comments. We look forward to ensuring that lean beef is always a part of the Dietary Guidelines and it remains a healthy dietary option for consumers,” Bonds concluded.  

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TSCRA is a 138-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,000 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 50,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, but throughout the Southwest.