Comments solicited for dietary guidelines

WASHINGTON, June 16 (UPI) -- Written comments are now being accepted on proposed federal dietary guidelines, U.S. officials said.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday public comments on the Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be accepted from June 15 to July 15, and a public hearing is scheduled for July 8.

First published in 1980, the dietary guidelines -- based on the latest, science-based nutritional and dietary guidance -- are mandated by Congress to be reviewed and updated every five years.

On average, Americans eat too few vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains, low-fat milk and milk products and seafood -- and eat too much added sugars, solid fats, refined grains and sodium. As a result, added sugars and solid fats, contributed approximately 35 percent of calories to the American diet, the guidelines said.

Reducing the amount of added sugars and solid fats and replacing them with healthier foods would result in healthier Americans, the guidelines said.

To provide oral testimony at the public meeting, people must register online at dietaryguidelines.gov.