The US agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, is facing ridicule from congressional Democrats – among others – after claiming Americans can save money and have their meals align with new Department of Health and Human Services dietary guidelines by simply eating “a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli”, “a corn tortilla” and “one other thing”.

One representative even called the remarks “a slap in the face to struggling working families”.

Rollins made the remarks during an interview with NewsNation in response to a question about how average Americans will afford adapting their meals to the White House’s updated food pyramid, which emphasizes red meat, full-fat dairy and saturated fats while discouraging ultra-processed foods and sugar. The rising cost of groceries has been a major issue for Americans in recent years.

So, the Columbo approach to meal planning. And I do love having a single spear of broccoli for garnish atop a corn tortilla.

ETA: The irony of saying immigrants are the problem and then suggesting tortillas is … stunning.