National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, has submitted 16 sets of public comments and hundreds of research studies to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The comments, listed below, review the science on a variety of topics ranging from beef’s role in health at every life stage, its relationship to heart health, and best scientific practices in evaluating beef-related research, including accurate classification of meat and beef.
Comment 1: Toward Precise and Accurate Identification of Beef in Diets and Dietary Pattern Research.
Comment 2: Assessing the Protein Food Group as part of examining adolescent diet quality.
Comment 3: The scientific question of “What is the relationship between dietary patterns consumed and sarcopenia?” versus HHS and USDA criteria outlined for prioritization.
Comment 4: Request for revision of the minimum 12-week study duration eligibility criteria for the evaluation of the relationship between dietary patterns consumed and risk of cardiovascular disease.
Comment 5: Request for additional details of specific criteria used to identify a food “lower in nutrient density” in Food Pattern Modeling Protocol.
Comment 6: Request for unsolicited public posting of electronic database search strategies prior to the completion of DGAC systematic reviews protocols.
Comment 7: Providing additional evidence relevant to the rationale provided for modification of the Protein Foods Groups and Subgroups in the Healthy U.S.-Style Dietary Pattern and Healthy Vegetarian Dietary Pattern as outlined in the 2025 DGAC protein food pattern modeling protocol.
Comment 8: Providing additional evidence relevant to screening methodology utilized for the completion of 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Systematic Reviews.
Comment 9: Providing evidence outlining the critical need to address nutrient deficiencies and dietary behaviors among adolescents.
Comment 10: Lack of Ultra-processed Food (UPF) definition in DGAC Systematic Review Protocol and opportunity for misclassification of foods, particularly meat, illustrated by Hess et al 2023.
Comment 11: Specific Dietary Pattern Components Modified in 2025 DGAC Draft Conclusion Statements Despite No Change in Strength of Evidence from 2020 DGAC Review.
Comment 12: Eligibility Criteria for Cardiovascular Disease Related Systematic Review Protocols.
Comment 13: Nutrient Contribution of Beef Containing Sandwiches, Including Burgers.
Comment 14: The proposed 4-ounce reduction of the Meat, Poultry, and Eggs (MPE) food subgroup introduces additional risk for nutrient shortfalls in the Healthy U.S. Style dietary pattern and dismisses the role MPE play as staple foods for a majority of Americans.
Comment 15: Beef Burgers are not Ultra-processed Foods.
Comment 16: Triglycerides are not a valid surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease.