Physicians sue US government over dietary guidelines

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The lawsuit alleges that federal agencies violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) by improperly rewriting the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The plaintiffs claim the government utilized a “secret panel” of consultants with financial ties to the meat, dairy, and low-carb industries to replace previous scientific recommendations. While an independent advisory committee had recommended increasing plant-based protein and water consumption, the lawsuit alleges the agencies performed a “procedural bait and switch” by adopting guidelines that emphasize fats, meat, and dairy products.

The lawsuit seeks to have the current guidelines withdrawn and requests the initiation of a new process that adheres to federal transparency and evidence-based requirements.