Commission unveils second iteration of MAHA report
On Sept. 9, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released the second iteration of its sweeping national health strategy, which includes more than 120 initiatives to address America’s “escalating health crisis and chronic childhood disease epidemic.”
While the first report sparked widespread outrage across the U.S. ag industry for calling out American farmers and ranchers and making bold claims about the nation’s food system, the new 20-page report zeroes in on nutrition and lifestyle adjustments instead of advocating for tighter regulations on products the commission believes contribute to chronic illness in the U.S., such as pesticides.
“The Trump administration is mobilizing every part of government to confront the childhood chronic disease epidemic,” says U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in the Sept. 9 press release. “This strategy represents the most sweeping reform agenda in modern history – realigning our food and health systems, driving education and unleashing science to protect America’s children and families. We are ending the corporate capture of public health, restoring transparency and putting gold-standard science – not special interests – at the center of every decision.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins further comments, “The MAHA Commission report is another historic milestone for our country and a testament to President Donald Trump’s leadership and commitment to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’ America’s farmers and ranchers are at the heart of the solution – alongside doctors, parents and communities – to fight chronic disease and protect future generations.”
Report highlights
According to the new report, titled the “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy,” the MAHA Commission will expand research efforts through the National Institutes of Health and other agencies regarding chronic disease prevention, nutrition, metabolic health, food quality, environmental exposure, autism, the gut microbiome, precision agriculture, rural and Tribal health, vaccines and mental health.
The commission will also streamline organic certification, ease barriers into farm-to-school programs and direct-to-consumer sales, modernize drug and device approval through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, accelerate approval of innovative ag products through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and expand access to full-fat milk in school meal programs.
The report further notes the MAHA Commission will focus on public awareness and education by launching school-based nutrition and fitness campaigns, prioritizing pediatric mental health and expanding access to reliable nutrition and health information, while also collaborating with the private sector to promote awareness of healthier meals at restaurants and create innovative solutions to address the root causes of chronic disease.
Additionally, the commission plans to take several historic actions including reforming the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; defining ultra-processed foods; improving food labeling; raising infant formula standards; improving the quality of food served in schools, hospitals and to Veterans and reforming Medicaid quality metrics to measure health outcomes.
For the ag industry especially, one of the most notable highlights of the MAHA Commission’s second report is its changed stance on pesticide use.
While the first iteration of the report took a hardline restrictive approach to pesticides like atrazine and glyphosate, the new report focuses largely on “reducing” the use of pesticides instead.
Ag industry support
Although the first report drew overwhelming backlash from agricultural stakeholders, the MAHA Commission’s second report has softened tensions with the industry and garnered praise from multiple organizations.
In separate statements made after the report’s release, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), National Sorghum Producers, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), National Corn Growers Association, Corn Refiners Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers and American Soybean Association (ASA) all lauded the commission for recognizing the critical role agriculture plays in everyday life and for their willingness to meet with producers, listen to their concerns and develop collaborative solutions.
“While agriculture’s voice was widely unheard in the initial MAHA report, we thank the administration for listening to our concerns before releasing the ‘Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy,’” states NPPC President Duane Stateler.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall comments, “Farmers and ranchers share the goal of improving health outcomes in America, and they are dedicated to growing safe, nutritious and affordable food for America’s families. Healthy meals start with healthy farms, and we appreciate the report’s recognition of the vital role farmers play in the food supply chain.”
“Soybean farmers are thankful the MAHA Commission recognized EPA’s approval process as the global gold standard,” adds ASA President Caleb Ragland. “Between the May report and today’s strategy, the commission was accessible and open to learning more about modern farming practices. We truly felt like we had a seat at the table, and for this, we are incredibly appreciative.”
Additionally, groups like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Meat Institute, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) applauded the second report for recognizing the nutritional value of U.S.-produced meat, milk and produce.
“From every angle, it is tough to beat American beef. Our farmers and ranchers raise the best beef in the world, providing a healthy, fresh protein option to millions of families every day,” says NCBA President Buck Wehrbein. “We responsibly steward millions of acres of land, water and wildlife habitat, including some of America’s most cherished landscapes and species. We pump lifeblood into the local economies of tens of thousands of communities across the rural American heartland. No matter how you look at it, American beef is the perfect fit for the MAHA Commission’s goals.”
Meat Institute President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julie Anna Potts reiterates this sentiment, stating, “Science has shown what Americans have known all along – nutrient-dense meat and poultry products are essential to a well-balanced diet. For years, previous administrations have tried to discourage consumption of meat, primarily for reasons unrelated to nutrition, and as a result, our most vulnerable populations – children, adolescent girls, nursing mothers and seniors – no longer consume enough protein and critical nutrients like iron and zinc.”
NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud further notes, “The MAHA Commission’s ‘Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy’ recognizes what the latest science indicates and what we’ve long been saying – getting whole milk back into schools and boosting dairy in diets helps meet America’s nutritional needs, and this is critical to improving the health of our nation’s children. We appreciate the commission’s attention to our nation’s public-health needs, and we are excited scientific evidence showing the benefits of dairy at all fat levels is finally gaining appropriate recognition.”
A statement made by IFPA reads, “IFPA welcomes the publication of the MAHA Commission’s second report, which marks an important step in elevating nutrition as a national public health priority. We applaud the commission’s recognition of the vital role whole, healthy foods like fresh produce play in improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. Simply put, you cannot make America healthy again without fruits and vegetables.”
While support for the MAHA Commission’s second report is clear, it is also cautious, with several groups voicing continued concerns moving forward.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
