The House Oversight Committee has criticized federal contractors involved in a study that aimed to recommend reduced alcohol consumption for Americans. Rep. James Comer (R–Ky.), the committee's chairman, stated that members of a scientific panel released parts of a "flawed" and "biased" study without authorization, violating contract terms. In a letter sent last week, Comer urged the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider "disciplinary, contractual, or legal action" against those responsible for the study.
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The study, commissioned by the Biden administration, was meant to inform the impending revision of the dietary guidelines, which are updated every five years. Unlike past updates, this initiative sought input from the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD). However, the dietary guidelines do not pertain to underage drinking, as the recommended limit for individuals under 21 is zero.
The ICCPUD study has been criticized for allowing anti-alcohol advocates to shape the dietary guidelines. The scientific panel primarily included experts in mental health, epidemiology, and anesthesiology, excluding dietitians and nutritionists. Tim Naimi, known for promoting stricter alcohol guidelines in Canada, was among the panel members.
In January, the House Oversight Committee released a report corroborating earlier findings from Reason, claiming the study group had a "predetermined goal" to produce a biased narrative that suggested "no amount of alcohol consumption is safe." Previously, the Trump administration had discarded the unfinished ICCPUD study, which was not used in the 2025 dietary guidelines.
Despite this, a draft version of the ICCPUD report was published in the BMJ Open journal in November 2025. Comer has called upon the HHS to scrutinize this version. He cited a provision in the ICCPUD contract stating that all materials developed under the contract belong to the government and cannot be released without government permission.
The controversy highlights concerns about how public health expertise may be influenced by advocacy efforts. While legal action against the contractors is not deemed essential, there are calls for ensuring they do not have future influence on federal or state policy.