Proposed dietary guidelines draw mixed reaction from potato industry organization

Recommendations from the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) that propose reducing the intake of starchy vegetables have drawn the ire of the National Potato Council (NPC).

The committee completed a two-day meeting on Oct. 22 to discuss draft recommendations to send to the Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA. Guidelines will be published in December, after which the public will be able to submit comments.

“The National Potato Council has continuously provided evidence on the critical role of potatoes in balanced diets,” NPC CEO Kam Quarles said in a news release. “The DGAC’s recommendation to lower starchy vegetable intake is not supported by nutritional science and will likely confuse consumers. Rather than decreasing vegetable consumption, USDA and HHS should prioritize boosting the overall intake of all vegetables.”

The NPC welcomed the DGAC’s decision to abandon an earlier proposal to make starchy vegetables interchangeable with grains. That idea touched off an industry uproar, with reaction including a letter in support of keeping potatoes classified as a vegetable from 14 U.S. senators.

“Potatoes are a vegetable, plain and simple,” Quarles said. “We’re pleased the committee ultimately recognized this, rejecting the idea of categorizing potatoes alongside grains.”

NPC’s comments were based on verbal recommendations provided by the full DGAC committee Oct. 22, according to the organization.