In unrelated measures the FDA and USDA have both recently moved to put the interests of the food industry above the nation's public health.

• As reported in Congress DailyPM, the USDA may delay the January release of the government's new dietary guidelines until the new Agriculture secretary is confirmed. Moreover, the latest guidelines might be the last the agency releases. Eric Hentges, executive director of the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, said no decision has been made on whether the government will continue to issue the dietary guidelines, which advise consumers how much of each food group to eat, in the traditional pyramid form. Hentges made the statements after participating in a panel discussion with government, academic and food industry nutrition experts on the government's food guidelines organized by Dittus Communications and the Hogan & Hartson law firm. The panel agreed that the government's anti-obesity efforts should focus on a simple, clear-cut message of cutting calories rather than specific foods So as the obesity epidemic reaches super-sized proportions, the government plans to release less information on a balanced diet.
• Meanwhile, FDA has reopened the comment period on a regulation that will make it easier for the food industry to claim health benefits for food products with no scientifically confirmed benefit. Send comments to FDA on the rule.