MAHA report targets ultraprocessed foods, seed oils and pesticides, but calls for more research

The Trump administration’s highly anticipated report on the potential drivers of childhood chronic diseases criticizes many aspects of the U.S. food system, but calls for more research to back up its strongest claims. 

While the report does mention studies linking exposure to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, with adverse health outcomes, it takes a more moderate approach than some advocates anticipated and suggests more studies need to be conducted to show a definitive link. 

Notably, members of the administration said there’s no budget so far to enact changes to the food system that the commission may later recommend.

President Donald Trump established the Make America Healthy Again Commission through an executive order the same day Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins were sworn in. Kennedy leads the commission, which was tasked with first studying and identifying possible causes of chronic disease among children. 

Using the report, the commission is expected to form a federal strategy over the next 100 days that is likely to include more definitive policy recommendations. However, during a press call discussing the findings, administration officials stated they don’t intend to implement a regulatory-heavy system similar to the European Union. 

“It will happen through a renewed focus on improved science throughout the federal government and our partners and through unleashing private sector innovation to produce better solutions for our children,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin told reporters. “We can ensure the health of our children and protect the environment while powering the great American comeback.” 

The report reiterates some of Kennedy and the MAHA movement’s criticisms about the role ultraprocessed foods, added sugars, food dyes and additives play in American’s diets. Overall, the report suggests a shift toward a whole-food diet and touts the nutritional benefits of foods like whole milk, dairy, beef, leafy greens, legumes and more. 

It also includes recommendations to improve research on nutrition and other issues addressed in the findings. One suggestion includes funding independent studies on the Generally Recognized as Safe system for food ingredients. 

However, consumer groups, food companies and former agency officials have all argued that Kennedy will not be able to enact much of his MAHA agenda without funding and staff. 

During a press call, Kennedy noted the first report does not include any policy recommendations.

“There is no budget,” Kennedy said. “We know that chronic disease is expensive for our country, that the costs are existential.” 

Addressing the chronic disease “epidemic” will save the country more money in the long and short term, he said.

The commission could also look at shifting how it uses funds in existing programs, Rollins said on the press call. 

“We just have to shift the focus on what and how we’re deploying those funds, and how we’re supporting specific and nutritious foods, and how we’re supporting our local ranchers and farmers in doing that and elevating their work,” Rollins said. 

Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget request does include $500 million to broadly build on the commission’s work. But few details have come out on how that would be distributed, if appropriated by Congress. 

Pesticides 

In the executive order establishing the commission, the panel was charged with studying the role chemical exposure could play in children’s health. This includes pesticides.

Ahead of the commission report’s release, farm groups and lawmakers expressed concern about what the report would say on pesticides given Kennedy’s previous criticisms of chemicals like glyphosate. Groups also complained that HHS had not met with them ahead of the report’s release, which fueled anxiety about how it would address pesticides.

Rollins and other members of the commission emphasized that the contents of the report are not intended to demonize American agriculture, but instead are a way to start a conversation about how the industry can improve. 

“None of this will compromise the ability of our American agriculture to do what they do best, which is to feed the country and the world,” Rollins said. “Does it mean that we don’t want to get better and understand and make sure our processes are as good as they can possibly be to serve the American people? … We all want that. Everybody wants that, and no one wants that more than our farmers and our ranchers.”

The report details how children can be more vulnerable to chemical contaminants even in preconception and prenatal exposure. The report states that nearly every breast milk sample tested in America contains some level of persistent organic pollutants including pesticides, microplastics and other chemicals. 

Additionally, the report states that over 8 billion pounds of pesticides are used annually around the world, with the U.S. making up about 11% of that total. 

In studying the role of chemical contaminants, the commission found that studies that show risk often contradict findings that show minimal to no risk. This demonstrates the need for continued private and public research to better understand the “cumulative load of multiple exposures.” 

The report goes on to list different types of exposures that should be researched in connection to children’s health, including crop protection tools like pesticides. While some studies have raised alarm over the possible links between these products and negative health outcomes, human studies are limited, according to the report. 

It cites a selection of studies on glyphosate that have found a range of possible health effects, including reproductive disorders and cancers. It also points to animal and wildlife studies that demonstrate exposure to the herbicide atrazine can cause endocrine disruption and birth defects. 

However, the report contrasts these findings with federal studies that show pesticide residues and food samples are compliant with federal standards and EPA safety limits. Finally, it notes that federal reviews of epidemiologic data for glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide, do not establish a direct link between exposure when used according to label directions and adverse health outcomes. 

“American farmers rely on these products, and actions that further regulate or restrict crop protection tools beyond risk-based and scientific processes set forth by Congress must involve thoughtful consideration of what is necessary for adequate protection, alternatives, and cost of production,” the report states. “Precipitous changes in agricultural practices could have an adverse impact on American agriculture and the domestic and global food supply.” 

It goes on to discuss the scientific research available on pesticides and other chemicals like microplastics, PFAS and food packaging chemicals like phthalates and bisphenols. It says a significant portion of these studies are conducted by private corporations, which could skew the outcome of the reports. 

For example, the report states that 50% of non-industry research found a “common pesticide” harmful, while only 18% of industry-funded studies reached similar conclusions. 

Ultraprocessed foods 

A large part of the report focuses on foods and diet, highlighting ultraprocessed foods in particular. 

About 70% of American children’s calories come from ultraprocessed foods, according to the report. The panel also notes that the majority of medical costs are tied to chronic diseases, which the report states is largely tied to diet. 

Specifically, the report says ultraprocessed grains, sugars and fats make up the bulk of ultraprocessed food consumption. It calls out high fructose corn syrup and other added sugars as potentially playing a significant role in childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 

It also criticizes the transition from animal-based sources like butter and lard to “industrial fats” like seed oils including soybean, corn, safflower, sunflower, cottonseed and canola. Refining these oils reduces micronutrients like vitamin E and phytosterols, according to the report. 

Overall, the report suggests that a diet of ultraprocessed foods can increase caloric intake and weight gain. It cites a 2019 study that voluntarily confined individuals to a National Institutes of Health facility to study the different health outcomes associated with diets with or without UPF. The study is one of the few studies in the United States to use this method of isolating subjects to study their diets, which is considered more accurate but expensive. 

Notably, the researcher behind this lab and study, Kevin Hall, accepted a voluntary early retirement. He cited censorship within the agency. Later in the report, the panel recommends NIH invest more in these types of isolation studies. 

Already, the administration has targeted synthetic food dyes and has laid out a plan for industry to voluntarily phase out these products. But the report goes a bit further, and suggests certain food dyes are tied to autism. It does note that additional long-term research is needed to establish a definitive link to food dyes and autism. 

The report also identifies links between food dyes and behavioral issues in children like ADHD, and a tie between artificial sweeteners like aspartame in health issues. 

Food and agriculture systems 

The report also criticizes the way the U.S. food supply contributed to this shift in ultraprocessed food consumption. It notes the transition to consolidation within the food system and said many of the “Big Food” companies largely produce ultraprocessed food products. 

Additionally, it suggests regulations like the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 and other regulations have put too many burdens on small farmers and producers. 

The report also takes aim at different programs under USDA which it states have grown in size but may have “drifted from their original goals.” It said that federal crop insurance programs have primarily covered and favored traditional field crops like wheat, corn and soybeans over specialty crops. It also notes what the authors see as limited support for organic foods in the latest farm bill. 

The report also takes aim at different programs under USDA which it states have grown in size but may have “drifted from their original goals.” It said that federal crop insurance programs have primarily covered and favored traditional field crops like wheat, corn and soybeans over specialty crops. It also notes the limited support for organic foods in the latest farm bill. 

Also at USDA, the report criticizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and schools meals for not incentivizing nutritious foods. Kennedy and Rollins have raised this point before, and have encouraged states to request waivers to restrict soda purchases using SNAP benefits. 

This week, Nebraska was the first state to get one of these waivers approved. Other states like Arkansas, Texas and Iowa have filed similar requests. 

School meals are criticized for not setting limits on ultraprocessed food consumption, even though USDA rules do limit added sugars and sodium. The report cites policies in other countires like France and Japan that incentivize fresh fruit and vegetable consumption, by requiring portions of their ingredients be sourced locally. 

The Biden administration implemented a Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program which aimed to increase local foods in school meals. However, this program was cut earlier this year under the Trump administration. 

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