What was different about the development of the new Dietary Guidelines from previous years?
BC: This was the first dietary guidelines report created using an evidence-based process to look at research data. While every expert panel obviously aims to base their recommendations on solid scientific evidence, “evidence-based” is a name defining a specific process for selecting, ranking and sumarizing research data. It is a useful process, although it can be used in two ways. It can enhance the objectivity of the review process, but it can also be used to minimize the relevance of solid but not definitive evidence, as was done in the past regarding the health effects of tobacco and the impact of global warming. For our report, we first agreed upon what research questions should be addressed. The HHS and USDA staff then did comprehensive literature searches, talked to experts, and found every study related to each research question. The results were then ranked and sorted according to the rules of evidence-based reviews. These rules prioritize data based on a series of criteria tha
