Physicians sue Trump administration over new dietary guidelines

A group of physicians, led by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Trump administration’s new dietary guidelines. The lawsuit seeks to withdraw the recommendations and prevent their future use, alleging that the process violated federal law.

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030, introduced in January 2026 by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, represent a significant shift from previous models. The guidelines emphasize animal proteins, whole dairy, and fats, while de-emphasizing plant-based sources and whole grains.

The plaintiffs argue that the administration bypassed a transparent, two-year scientific review process conducted by an independent committee, which had recommended increasing plant-based protein and water consumption. Instead, the lawsuit claims the government relied on a hastily assembled group of industry representatives with potential conflicts of interest, effectively allowing the meat and dairy industries to influence national nutritional policy.