US dietary guidelines make no recommendation on sugar tax

After months of controversy that sparked a congressional hearing into the politics and science behind its recommendations, on 7 January the US government released the eighth edition of its dietary guidelines.

Unlike previous editions, which emphasized individual food groups and nutrients that should be included in a healthy diet, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans urges consumers to adopt healthy overall eating patterns that include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat dairy or soy products, and low fat protein sources, such as fish, lean meats, legumes, and soy products.1

In addition to adopting healthy eating patterns, the new guidelines recommend that Americans limit their consumption of added sugars to less than 10% of daily energy intake, saturated fats to less that 10% of daily energy intake, and sodium to …