IMPORTANCE
U.S. pork producers take pride in the highly nutritious products they provide for American children and adults through government feeding programs. Their products promote good health with great taste, low calories and exceptional value. Pork producers have continually worked to improve the nutrition profile of the products they offer, such as providing leaner meats and a greater variety of nutritious choices, and they believe in the strength of nutrition science, which overwhelmingly supports the positive role that pork products play in a healthy diet. The Child Nutrition Act, which must be reauthorized this year, sets standards for food products that are part of various federal food programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs.

BACKGROUND
There is mounting pressure for people to eat a more plant-based diet to reduce diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. And some groups, including American Institute of Cancer Research/World Cancer Research Fund, have urged that the amount of red and processed meat be reduced. Others, including the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine – an animal-rights group presenting itself as doctors – have called for removing processed meat from the school lunch program. There also is pressure to reduce sodium and the costs of federal feeding programs. At the same time, however, Americans are under-consuming some key nutrients, including several that are in pork, which is a lean, low-calorie source of high-quality protein. Pork, which children tend readily to eat – as opposed to some alternatives – also provides more nutrients per penny than many other foods.

NPPC POSITION
NPPC supports reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and opposes efforts to remove or limit pork from federal feeding programs. It also opposes efforts to add to the Act language that would dictate on-farm production practices. Pork producers have responded to the need for leaner meats. Red meats’ contribution of dietary fat to the food supply has declined from 22 percent in the 1980s to 13 percent in 2004. Pork should remain part of a healthy diet because it:
    • Is a naturally nutrient-rich food that offers American children and adults high levels of nutrients at great  
      taste and low calories. 
    • Can help Americans meet shortfalls in nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12 and potassium. 
    • Is part of the solution when it comes to America’s battle with obesity. 
    • Americans are not eating enough nutrient-rich foods, and many aren’t eating the recommended amount
      of meat.