MAHA Commission Report Demonizes Ultraprocessing and Chemicals in Foods
Ultraprocessed foods and environmental chemicals, including those in foods, were among the villains outlined in the much anticipated “MAHA Report” -- subtitled “Making Our Children Healthy Again” -- which was released today by the presidential Make America Healthy Again Commission.
There were no great revelations or deviations from what has been said in Washington since Donald Trump and especially Robert Kennedy, his secretary of Health & Human Services, took office. Nor were there any immediate solutions. The purpose was to look at what has caused the increases in chronic diseases and other maladies in children and how to reverse those trends.
After spending 67 pages laying out the problems, a single page was devoted to “Next Steps – Supporting Gold-Standard Scientific Research and Developing a Comprehensive Strategy.” Although if this report is any kind of a road map, the route will focus on UPFs and chemical additives in foods, as the government will have little control over kids' screen time and exercise. Vaccines may take a hit, too.
The report ended with: “Some of the steps to implement these research initiatives are already underway and others will begin this in the near future. In parallel, the MAHA Commission will immediately begin working on developing the strategy to make our children healthy again - due in August 2025. We invite all of America, especially the private sector and academia, to be part of the solution.”
In addition to ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) and toxic chemicals, “the crisis of childhood behavior in the digital age” and “the over-medicalization of our kids” formed the four main points in the report.
“America's children are facing an unprecedented health crisis,” one section begins, claiming 40% of children have at least one chronic health condition, such as asthma, allergies, obesity, autoimmune diseases, or behavioral disorders. “Today in the U.S., more than 1 in 5 children over 6 years old are obese.”
The first-named apparent cause: “The American diet has shifted dramatically toward ultra-processed foods, leading to nutrient depletion, increased caloric intake, and exposure to harmful additives. Nearly 70% of children's calories now come from UPFs, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
“The American food system is safe but could be healthier. Most American children's diets are dominated by ultra-processed foods high in added sugars, chemical additives and saturated fats, while lacking sufficient intakes of fruits and vegetables.”
UPFs took a beating in nine pages of the report. Specifically called out were ultraprocessed grains, ultraprocessed sugars and ultraprocessed fats. In the process, “Over 2,500 food additives — including emulsifiers, binders, sweeteners, colorings, and preservatives — may be used to mimic the taste and texture of conventional food and increase shelf life.”
UPFs also rely on “certain food colorings, such as red 40, titanium dioxide, propylparaben, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin.”
The MAHA Commission is chaired by Secretary Kennedy and includes the secretary of agriculture, FDA commissioner, director of the National Institutes of Health and 10 other high-ranking Trump administration officials.
Again, look for another MAHA Commission report in August.
