USDA Affirms Potato's Status as a Vegetable, Rejecting Grain Classification

In a bipartisan effort, U.S. senators secure the continued classification of potatoes as vegetables in dietary guidelines, dispelling health misconceptions.

• The USDA confirms potatoes will remain classified as vegetables, not grains, following bipartisan advocacy led by Senators Susan Collins and Michael Bennet.
• The decision counters proposals to reclassify potatoes as grains, which could have misled the public about their nutritional value.
• Senators argue that reclassifying potatoes could confuse consumers and undermine their dietary benefits.
• Maine, a leading potato producer, played a pivotal role in advocating for the vegetable's classification.
• The classification is crucial for dietary guidelines and affects sectors like agriculture and public health.

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