The idea that dietary recommendations for humans are compatible with an environmentally sustainable food system is supported by a 2015 report from the US National Academy of Sciences (go.nature.com/t2ovdt).

The implication that dietary recommendations should take the environmental impact of food production into account caused controversy earlier this year. Parts of the US government and the food industry accused the federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee of going beyond its remit in advocating a more plant-based diet that would be better for sustainability as well as human health (see go.nature.com/lcwj6i).

Scientists, policy-makers and other stakeholders must move beyond considering health, environmental, social and economic effects in isolation. In recognizing the need to address the food system's complexities and its competing demands and trade-offs, the National Academy of Sciences' report has already been the subject of briefings to Congress and US governmental agencies.