The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has used a Freedom of Information request in response to new government dietary advice, the Public Health England’s ‘Eatwell Plate’.
The Union says it "remains baffled" by the dairy dietary guidelines published.
The request was made by FUW as the guide recommended that consumers reduce their daily amount of dairy produce intake to just 8 percent.
'Much less prominence to positive effects of dairy'
FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright said: "Some of the evidence provided under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act related to reports conducted by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) on trans fatty acids, iron, health, energy and nutrition.
"However, much of the FOI concerned the modelling work which was undertaken to establish the Eatwell Plate in a way which would give ease of use to the consumer.
"This was of much less concern to the FUW than the methods used to scientifically justify the prominence of each food group.
"Unfortunately, whilst the FOI demonstrates the inconclusive nature of some of the detrimental claims about dairy products, studies which demonstrate the positive effects of dairy on health factors such as bone density and blood pressure gain much less prominence.
"Moreover, the FOI did not provide any suitable clarity on the methodology used to reach the conclusion that dairy should contribute just 8 percent daily intake.
"The FUW remains bitterly disappointed by the original healthy eating guide issued by Public Health England and the information provided under the FOI has done little to mitigate existing concerns about the basis for this work," added Dr Wright.
The Union remains unconvinced by the changes made to the Eatwell Plate and says it is "seriously disappointed" by the information provided under the FOI.
Dr Wright further said that it is essential that proper and rigorous scientific evaluation of dairy dietary research has been conducted in order to ensure that consumers understand the value of dairy products in the diet.
The FUW said it would "welcome further engagement in this process in the future in order to ensure that any negative presumptions about dairy produce do not unduly influence the final decision making process of consumers."
'Baffling and disappointing'
Commenting on Public Health England’s new Eatwell guide, Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK said: "Dairy products remain a key part of the Eatwell guide which is important for the nation’s diet.
"But the decision by Public Health England to reduce the dairy food group in the revised eatwell plate is both baffling and disappointing.
"In the UK, dietary guidelines disregard an ever-growing body of robust, science-based evidence which stresses the importance of dairy consumption at all ages.
"It is genuinely disconcerting to see that the dairy food group being disadvantaged by a public health campaign.
"At a time when obesity is a real crisis for children and adults alike, nutrient-dense whole foods such as dairy products should be put front and centre in dietary guidelines.
"Public Health England’s decision goes against a series of recent public announcements and reports which show a better understanding of the role of milk and dairy products in a healthy and balanced diet by Government and Parliamentarians.
