America's Diet…and the Environment?

Every five years, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee issues a report used to shape federal nutrition policy — including the $16 billion school lunch program. This year's report contains unprecedented advice: instead of eating red meat in moderation, we should eat less. The meat industries are up in arms not just about health warnings — but especially the claim that livestock production contributes to global warming. And that's not the only surprise from the panel that helps determine official Dietary Guidelines. It says eggs and coffee don't cause heart trouble after all. As special interests and politicians take aim at conclusions so different from what's gone before, what's the American public to think?