NOPA Statement on the Updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans  

WASHINGTON, January 7, 2026 – The National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) appreciates the Dietary Guidelines’ approach to prioritizing added fats with essential fatty acids. Vegetable oils, or “seed oils” as they’re sometimes referred to, are a significant provider of essential fatty acids and remain a safe and cost-effective source of dietary fats in the American diet, as they are globally. Their inclusion reflects the scientific consensus that these oils are a safe and nutritious part of healthy eating patterns without needlessly increasing food prices or limiting consumer choice.

However, some appendices rely on a narrow evidence base with limited citations, which is concerning given the administration’s rhetoric questioning the safety of certain vegetable oils despite an established scientific consensus.

Beyond the direct nutritional role, the oilseed value chain also supports the production of affordable meat, dairy, and eggs. The protein ingredients (meal) produced from oilseeds are a key component of livestock diets, allowing farmers and ranchers to deliver cost-effective meat, milk, and eggs to American families. Without strong demand for vegetable oils, these protein ingredients become less available, limiting production and increasing costs across the food system. Grown by American farmers, these oilseeds and the full range of products that come from them help strengthen a resilient farm to table supply chain that delivers nutritious and affordable options to households nationwide.

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Organized in 1930, the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) represents the U.S. soybean, canola, flaxseed, safflower seed, and sunflower seed-crushing industries. NOPA’s membership is engaged in the processing of oilseeds for meal and oil that are utilized in the manufacturing of food, feed, renewable fuels, and industrial products. NOPA’s 20 member companies operate 71 softseed and soybean solvent extraction plants across 20 states, crushing over 98% of all soybeans processed in the United States, the equivalent to more than 2 billion bushels annually. More information at www.NOPA.org.

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