Controversy After Dairy Reduction in UK Healthy Eating Guidelines

The UK government's new healthy eating guide has caused controversy in the dairy industry after it revised targets for dairy consumption down to 8 per cent of the daily diet.

Commenting on Public Health England’s new Eatwell guide, Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK said: “Dairy products remain a key part of the Eatwell guide which is important for the nation’s diet, but the decision by Public Health England to reduce the dairy food group in the revised eatwell plate is both baffling and disappointing.

“In the UK, dietary guidelines disregard an ever-growing body of robust, science-based evidence which stresses the importance of dairy consumption at all ages.

"It is genuinely disconcerting to see that the dairy food group being disadvantaged by a public health campaign.

“The dairy industry was not consulted during this process and had no opportunity to give scientific evidence or help prevent serious flaws in the guidelines.

“For example, we do not believe that vulnerable groups such as breastfeeding women or teenage girls can practically meet their needs for calcium or iodine using the new eatwell plate.”

Meanwhile, Chairman Heather Wheeler MP and members* of the Dairy All-Party Parliamentary Group said they were “sorely disappointed” with the new guidelines.

“The Dairy All-Party Parliamentary Group just released a report which highlights the essential role of dairy products in a healthy and balanced diet, based on robust evidence provided by nutrition and health experts.

“This evidence is widely available and it is therefore both puzzling and frustrating to see that official dietary guidelines would not rely on it.

“Dairy products are full of key nutrients we all need, from the well-known calcium and protein to the lesser-known iodine and vitamin B12. We should be making every effort to encourage dairy consumption, not taking steps to reduce it.

“In our report ‘Putting Dairy Back on the Daily Menu’, we called for a 3-a-Day dairy programme to remind consumers of the unique nutritional value of dairy products. The new Eatwell guide is at odds with our recommendations and we plan on discussing this further with the Department of Health and Public Health England.” - Click here to read more.