(NAFB.com) – The National Pork Producers Council expressed concerns about the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s latest report. The group criticized the lack of a scientific basis for recommending plant proteins as a replacement for animal proteins. “While pork producers support the Committee’s recommendation to increase protein intake, their recommendation to replace animal proteins will severely compromise the America diet, as plant proteins aren’t nearly as nutritionally rich.” The Committee recommended moving beans, peas, and lentils from the vegetable group to the protein group. NPPC says this is deceiving to Americans as there are essential nutrients in animal proteins that plant proteins don’t provide. This also puts at risk infants, young children, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older adults, as they require higher amounts of protein and nutrients that are provided by animal-based proteins. NPPC will continue to engage with the Departments as a scientific voice for the U.S. pork industry.