ASTA Oral Comments on Promoting Spices in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030

ASTA submitted comments to the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in April 2023 regarding the USDA's Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Proposed Rule. The comments highlight the important role spices and herbs play in promoting healthy, diverse eating patterns and in celebrating cultural heritage, which is shown through a growing body of research to have a strong potential to improve health. Comments request an exemption for spices from the "Buy American" provision of the proposed rule.

Tariffs on certain spices that can only be grown abroad – often called unavailable natural resources – could make these natural food ingredients less affordable and accessible for U.S. families. This document shares information on the benefits of spices and the key impacts on ongoing trade and tariff policy developments.