U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is urging federal bureaucrats to avoid reclassifying the potato as a vegetable, a move which could have deleterious consequences for consumers of the nutrient rich tuber as well as farmers throughout northern Maine.
Sen. Collins and Michael Bennet (D-CO) have spearheaded a bipartisan appeal to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) to maintain the classification of potatoes as vegetables.
The move comes amid reports that potatoes may be reclassified as grains in the upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), a move which could have a negative impact on Maine potato farmers.
“Since the inception of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it has classified potatoes correctly as a vegetable,” Collins, Bennet, and a group of 12 other senators said in a Tuesday letter to the federal agencies.
Collins and her colleagues emphasized that there is no dispute over the potato’s characteristics or its botanical classification, pointing out that potatoes are substantial sources of “potassium, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and fiber.”
Citing a National Library of Medicine study from 2013, the senators underscored that potatoes “should be included in the vegetable group because they contribute critical nutrients” and that “all white vegetables, including white potatoes, provide nutrients needed in the diet and deserve a prominent position in food guides.”
The letter argued that a reclassification could create confusion among consumers and those in the supply chain.
“Any change to potatoes’ current classification under the DGAs would immediately confuse consumers, retailers, restaurant operators, growers, and the entire supply chain,” the senators said.
According to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, potato farming contributes majorly to Maine’s economy, with $540 million in annual sales, 6,100 jobs linked to the industry, more than $230 million in personal income for Mainers, and over $32 million in state and local taxes paid.
The bipartisan group includes Sens. 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), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jeffrey Merkley (D-OR), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
The senators also highlighted the impact that a reclassification could have on federal nutrition programs and the cost to the nation’s schools, which already face challenges in meeting vegetable consumption recommendations affordably, with potatoes often being the most cost-effective option.
“We strongly urge you to avoid reclassifying potatoes as a grain or suggest grains and potatoes are interchangeable,” they said.
Finally, Congress addresses the really important stuff!
“ Sen. Susan Collins is urging federal bureaucrats to avoid reclassifying the potato as a vegetable?..”
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“ The move comes amid reports that potatoes may be reclassified as grains…”
WTF!?
Most important, least destructive item she ll address in her current 6 year term
Takes one to know one.
How many federal tax dollars is Congress frittering away in chasing this reclassification, anyway? How would those pushing it benefit? Doesn’t Congress have more pressing topics to consider than whether the potato is a vegetable or a grain (a botanically ridiculous connection)?
Collins avoids any and all controversial and difficult issues.
Like the J6 prisoners who have been in prison for over 3 years and have had no charges brought. Clearly violating the Constitution and civil rights.
Illegals have caused the crime rates in Southern Maine to go up as much as 2000% but she ignores that and votes to keep the border open.
Inflation is crazy and we’re paying $3.50 gal for gas and three times what we did 3 yrs ago for a dozen eggs, but by all means keep sending money to Ukraine.
Men can be women and potatoes can be grains, bigot!
how is this discussion hold any importance when the government is trying in sneaky ways to take away your freedoms!!! Pure silliness
Potato head Collins. A sack of potatoes is more useful than this pinhead. Go away you old potato skin.
Corinne, it’s a matter of creating a smoke screen of distraction while they conduct their corruption behind the curtain to ruin us.
The government’s manipulation of the so called food pyramid the help maintain big pharma’s strangle hold on America health is a crime. This is why health care is so expensive.
Yes Susan, the dumb-ol’ Americans might get confused about what a potato is and then try to paint their houses with mashed potatoes or start wearing hollowed out potatoes for shoes!
You go girl — Susan Power Away!
…Besides, if we can’t define a woman — what chance does a potato have?