U.S. pork producers provide a safe and nutrient-dense protein for all Americans, says National Pork Producers Council president Duane Stateler of McComb, Ohio. In response to the Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report released on May 22, Stateler emphasizes the pork industry’s commitment to continuously improve the nation’s health and prosperity.
“Like others in farming and agriculture, we agree that nutritious, healthy, safe and affordable protein from meat should be widely accessible so everyone can achieve the basic needs of a balanced diet,” Stateler says. “Filling our nation’s protein gap is critical, especially for those focused on food insecurity and improving the health of our nation.”
Pork Plays Beneficial Role in Diets
The U.S. pork industry stands ready and willing to assist and partner in transparent, risk-based research to further the health of the nation, Stateler says.
For example, a peer-reviewed study in “Frontiers in Nutrition” conducted by William & Mary scientists found pork performs similarly to poultry, seafood, eggs and legumes across key sustainability and agricultural resource indicators with a ± 1% change in land use, fertilizer nutrient use and pesticide use.
“Substituting between one and three servings of each protein with pork was associated with a lower intake of refined grains and a greater intake of total protein,” the authors say.
Lean pork can also play a central role in plant-forward diets for aging adults, according to a recently published study out of South Dakota State University. The research suggests offering the high-quality protein has broad acceptability and alignment with current dietary guidance.
The study compared diets centered on lean pork with those using plant proteins, such as lentils and chickpeas, for older adults living on their own. The two diets matched for total protein, fiber and macronutrient content, but the data revealed striking differences in both protein quality and food acceptability.
At the same time, pork is also a great option for infants who are transitioning to solid foods. When baby’s first bite includes pork, their growth and development flourishes, says Kristen Hicks-Roof, registered dietitian and the director of Human Nutrition for National Pork Board.
Farmers Need a Seat at the Table
Sharing facts and data like this is critical to help consumers maintain trust in producers and the pork industry, but Stateler says farmer input was widely lacking from the MAHA report — causing misleading information.
“Efforts that not only exclude agriculture’s input, but also undermine the work of farmers serving our nation, are misguided and detrimental to all who care about facts and truth,” Stateler says. “Inflammatory rhetoric and distortions, meant to galvanize attention to achieve particular ideological outcomes, are harmful and undermine the world-class safety and reliability of the American food system. We urge extreme caution and recognize this as a moment for leadership that not only fosters and maintains trust in the foods we consume but also defends farmers against unwarranted and unfounded attacks.”
The current system of producing food at scale for a vast and growing nation has unleashed prosperity and opportunity, Stateler says.
“It is vital for policymakers, members of Congress and executive branch officials to ensure America’s food security – and farm families like mine – remain strong, vibrant and lasting,” he says. “We urge President Trump to support America’s farmers, who use modern practices to feed 98% of the population. We implore this administration to ensure farmers have a seat at the table when discussions and decisions impacting our livelihoods are made.”
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