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WASHINGTON D.C., May 22, 2025 — Today, the Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA), led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., released an assessment of the escalating crisis of chronic diseases among American children. Issued 98 days after President Trump established the Commission via Executive Order, the report identifies four primary contributors: poor diet, environmental chemical exposure, physical inactivity coupled with chronic stress, and overmedicalization.
The report emphasizes the need for systemic reforms in food production, healthcare, and regulatory practices to reverse these trends. “We will end the childhood chronic disease crisis by attacking its root causes head-on—not just managing its symptoms,” said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Key Findings:
The report portrays a bleak outlook for the health of the nation’s children. While the full 68 page report will be heavily digested by industry, special interest groups, and the public over the coming weeks, the overall theme is consistent with the MAHA agenda throughout the current administration:
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Poor Diet and Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs): The report finds that ultra-processed foods constitute nearly 70% of children's caloric intake, contributing to chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. It criticizes federal dietary guidelines and calls for increased nutrition research and a reevaluation of food additives and seed oils.
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Environmental Chemical Exposure: In addition to food additives and artificial colors, the report also raises concerns about children's exposure to environmental toxins, including pesticides, PFAS, and fluoride. It advocates for further research into the cumulative effects of these chemicals on children's health and suggests aligning U.S. regulations more closely with stricter European standards.
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Chronic Stress and Lack of Physical Activity: The MAHA report links increased screen time, reduced physical activity, and chronic stress to declining mental health among children. It points to factors such as decreased recess time, fewer children walking or biking to school, and the pervasive use of smartphones and social media as contributors to this trend.
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Overmedicalization: The report critiques the overprescription of medications, including psychiatric and weight-loss drugs, for children. It also questions the current childhood vaccine schedule, calling for more transparent research into potential links between vaccines and chronic diseases, despite acknowledging the benefits of vaccinations in preventing infectious diseases.
Conclusion:
The MAHA report signals a potential shift in national health and food policies, emphasizing the reduction of ultra-processed foods and harmful additives in children's diets. Interestingly, absent from the report is a focus on traditional public health priorities, such as sodium reduction or excess added sugar consumption, except vaguely in the context of UPFs. Food manufacturers and retailers will need to proactively assess these findings and consider where future practices should align with these emerging priorities, ensuring compliance and meeting evolving consumer demands.
Next Steps:
Learn more about what substantial changes the new Administration is proposing under RFK Jr., the impact of these changes, the controversies over Ultra-Processed Foods and PFAS contamination, and what ingredients are in the "Hot Seat" at Prime Label Consultants’ Food Label Conference, taking place in 10 days, June 1-4, 2025 in Washington DC. Talk to regulators from the FDA, USDA and FTC to gain insight into what policies these agencies have in store for the next year.
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