WASHINGTON – A recommendation to replace two daily servings of grains with two servings of starchy vegetables should not be adopted in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to grain-based foods industry group. In comments to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a coalition of grain-based foods groups urged rejection of the recommendation to displace grains, made by the Nutrient Adequacy sub-committee.

In the comments, the coalition said an idea to lump starchy vegetables together with grains is ill-conceived. The group warned the change was unlikely to lead to greater intake of colorful vegetables and likely would lead to the substitution of fried starchy vegetables for grains.


Other recommendations in the group’s comments were for the use of the term “enriched” grains rather than “refined” grains and for consideration of a voluntary gradual and incremental reduction of sodium in foods. The group also urged continuation of the use of the current guideline to “consume half of your grains from whole.”

Groups that signed the letter were the American Bakers Association, AIB International, the Grain Foods Foundation, the Grains for Health Foundation, the Independent Bakers Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Pasta Association, the North American Millers’ Association, the USA Rice Federation and the Wheat Foods Council.