A group of 30 Senators are calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to keep lean meat in the dietary guidelines. In a letter to Secretaries Tom Vilsack and Sylvia Burwell, the Senators said that the USDA and HHS should stay within statutory guidelines, consider the most relevant nutrition scientific literature, and reject the committee’s inconsistent conclusions and recommendations regarding the role of lean red meat in a healthy diet.

The Senators said, “We are concerned about this committee’s suggestion to decrease consumption of red and processed meats … this statement ignores the peer-reviewed and published scientific evidence that shows the role of lean red meats as part of a healthy diet … we have strong concerns with the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee going beyond its purview of nutrition and health research to include topics such as sustainability … We encourage you to carefully consider the most relevant nutrition scientific literature and reject the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s inconsistent conclusions regarding the role of meat in Americans’ diets as you finalize the Dietary Guidelines.”

The Senators also asked for an extension of the public comment period. The letter was organized by Sen. John Thune (R-SD).