Trump-ordered MAHA report urges stricter oversight of food safety and additives

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission Report addresses food safety and its impact on chronic childhood illnesses in the United States. 

Commissioned by President Donald Trump via executive order on Feb.13, the 14-member panel, chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., includes federal officials such as the USDA secretary and FDA commissioner. The report links food additives, pesticides and ultra-processed foods to conditions like obesity, diabetes and ADHD, urging stricter oversight and a shift to whole foods in federal programs.

Food additives
The report states that ultra-processed foods, comprising nearly seventy percent of children’s diets, contain over 2,500 additives, including Red 40, propylparaben and aspartame, which it links to hyperactivity, ADHD and metabolic disorders. It criticizes the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) system, which allows manufacturers to self-certify additives, and recommends independent studies to assess their safety for children. 

Pesticides
According to the report, more than one billion pounds of pesticides are applied annually in U.S. agriculture, potentially exposing people through food, water and air. It cites studies linking glyphosate to developmental issues and recommends ongoing safety evaluations and “precision toxicology.” 

The report notes that the USDA’s Pesticide Data Program in 2023 and the FDA’s testing from 2009 to 2017 provide data on pesticide residues in food.

Ultra-processed foods
The report highlights that ultra-processed foods, high in sugar, fats and sodium, dominate diets, particularly in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and National School Lunch Program. 

Citing 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, it estimates SNAP spending on ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages in fiscal year 2025 will nearly double that on fruits and vegetables, contributing to obesity and diabetes. It proposes trials comparing whole-food and ultra-processed diets and notes Nebraska’s SNAP waiver to exclude soda and energy drinks.

Corporate influence
The report claims that industry-funded research outpaces public funding, with the chemical industry spending $77 million on lobbying in 2024 and more than 10,000 EPA inventory chemicals remaining confidential. It calls for transparency and conflict-of-interest policies.

The report also recommends assessing the childhood vaccine schedule and studying environmental toxins like PFAS to address potential health impacts. It emphasizes prevention to reduce healthcare costs as part of a 100-day plan. 

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said proposed reforms will not compromise food security.

The full report can be viewed here.

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