Hoeven, Collins, Bennet Oppose Reclassification of Potatoes as a Grain

03.28.24

Hoeven, Collins, Bennet Oppose Reclassification of Potatoes as a Grain

WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven joineda bipartisan group of 14 Senatorsin sending a letter led by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra in opposition to any reclassification of potatoes as a grain instead of a vegetable during the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) process.

"Since the inception of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it has classified potatoes correctly as a vegetable," the group of senators wrote. "There is no debate about the physical characteristics of the potato and its horticultural scientific classification. Unlike grains, white potatoes are strong contributors of potassium, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and fiber."

"Any change to potatoes' current classification under the DGAs would immediately confuse consumers, retailers, restaurant operators, growers, and the entire supply chain," the senators continued. "We strongly urge you to avoid reclassifying potatoes as a grain or suggest grains and potatoes are interchangeable. Given the rapid timeline that the DGAs are on, we ask that you provide us an update on this issue as soon as possible."

Additional cosigners of the letter include Senators James Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Angus King (I-ME), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

Full text of the letter can be read here and below.

Dear Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Becerra:

We write regarding recent press reports concerning the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) (2025-2030) and the possible reclassification of potatoes as a grain, instead of a vegetable. The scientific justification behind the assertion that potatoes are not vegetables is not strong, and there are documented nutritional benefits of potatoes. Therefore, we strongly oppose any reclassification of potatoes to the grain category under the DGAs.

Since the inception of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it has classified potatoes correctly as a vegetable. There is no debate about the physical characteristics of the potato and its horticultural scientific classification. Unlike grains, white potatoes are strong contributors of potassium, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and fiber. A medium baked potato contains 15 percent of the daily recommended value of dietary fiber, 27 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin B6, and 28 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin C. In fact, potatoes have more potassium than bananas, a food that is commonly associated with being high in potassium.

If potatoes were to be reclassified, consumers would miss out on vital nutrients. In addition, any change to potatoes' current classification under the DGAs would immediately confuse consumers, retailers, restaurant operators, growers, and the entire supply chain. That is one of the reasons that the trade groups of both sides of this classification debate have filed comments in opposition to potatoes being defined as anything other than a vegetable. In addition, our federal nutrition programs rely on the DGAs to ensure that program beneficiaries are receiving well-balanced, nutritious food. Such a change could also come at a cost to our nation's schools. Under the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs, schools already struggle to meet vegetable consumption recommendations at a reasonable cost, and potatoes are often the most affordable vegetable.

Finally, classifying potatoes as a grain instead of a vegetable would also go against a 2013 National Library of Medicine Study titled White Potatoes, Human Health, and Dietary Guidance. This study found that

…potatoes should be included in the vegetable group because they contribute critical nutrients. All white vegetables, including white potatoes, provide nutrients needed in the diet and deserve a prominent position in food guides.

Given this strong, fact-backed assertion produced from the National Library of Medicine study, it does not make any sense for your departments to reclassify potatoes as a grain.

We strongly urge you to avoid reclassifying potatoes as a grain or suggest grains and potatoes are interchangeable. Given the rapid timeline that the DGAs are on, we ask that you provide us an update on this issue as soon as possible.

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