DeepSummary
The episode discusses the classification of potatoes as a vegetable by the federal government and the controversy surrounding this categorization. While botanically potatoes are vegetables, some nutritionists question this classification due to the way Americans often consume potatoes in unhealthy forms like french fries. However, the potato industry lobbies heavily to maintain the vegetable status, as it provides eligibility for research grants, inclusion in school meals, and other financial benefits.
The hosts interview Christina Peterson from the Wall Street Journal, who has covered this "spud spat" for years. She explains that while potatoes technically fit the botanical definition of a vegetable, their nutritional value is diminished when fried or processed. Other countries like the UK do not count potatoes towards recommended vegetable servings. However, in the US, the powerful potato lobby influences Congress, particularly senators from potato-producing states, to keep the vegetable classification.
The National Potato Council argues that potatoes provide an affordable, nutrient-dense vegetable option and can serve as a "gateway" to introducing children to other vegetables. While the 2025 dietary guidelines have not been finalized, the USDA has stated it will not reclassify potatoes as grains for now. However, the lobby remains concerned about potatoes becoming interchangeable with grains like rice or pasta in school meals.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The federal government classifies potatoes as a vegetable, despite some nutritional concerns about how they are often prepared and consumed.
- The powerful US potato industry lobbies intensely to maintain this vegetable classification due to the significant financial benefits it provides.
- Categorization as a vegetable allows potatoes to be eligible for research grants, inclusion in school meals, and federal nutrition programs.
- While botanically classified as vegetables, the nutritional value of potatoes is diminished when fried or processed into forms like french fries.
- Some countries like the UK do not count potatoes towards recommended daily vegetable servings due to nutritional considerations.
- The potato lobby argues that potatoes provide an affordable vegetable option and can serve as a 'gateway' to promoting consumption of other vegetables.
- While the 2025 dietary guidelines have not finalized the classification, the USDA has stated it will not reclassify potatoes as grains for now.
- The industry remains concerned about potatoes potentially being made interchangeable with grains like rice or pasta in programs like school meals.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The potato has been a hot potato there, if you will.“ by Christina Peterson
- “Americans do not eat enough vegetables, and potatoes are key to addressing this issue.“ by Cam Quarles
- “If you put us over in the grains category and we're competing with slices of bread or a bowl of rice, we've become one of the most expensive items over in the grains category.“ by Cam Quarles
- “Congress, particularly lawmakers from more potato heavy producing states, often say, you know, don't touch my, don't touch our potatoes, and they generally win.“ by Christina Peterson
- “No one really disputes that. Botanically speaking, the potato is a vegetable.“ by Christina Peterson
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Episode Information
The Indicator from Planet Money
NPR
6/17/24
Recently some nutritional scientists were questioning that logic as the feds updated their dietary guidelines for 2025.
On today's episode, why potatoes have such sway on Capitol Hill and the real financial stakes spuds have in staying a veggie.
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