MAHA Report Could Affect American Producers

There were 69 pages in a new report titled, “Making Our Children Healthy Again,” that could impact –either with policy or persuasion – producers across the country as the new U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. targets the overall health of Americans, particularly children. Pesticides, ultra-processed grains, sugars, fats, and food additives are among targets for further study.

Childhood obesity, diabetes, cancer, depression, and heart disease are all concerns for health advocates. The authors of the MAHA report cite the concept of replacing foods like chips, French fries, soda, cake, and cookies with healthier options.

“We will follow the truth wherever it leads, uphold rigorous science, and drive bold policies that put the health, development, and future of every child first. I’m grateful to President Trump for his leadership—and for trusting me to lead this fight to root out corruption, restore scientific integrity, and reclaim the health of our children,” RFK, Jr. said in response to the report.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins added, “We must do more to improve the health outcomes of our kids and families, and President Trump knows agriculture is at the heart of the solution. America’s farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to the noble cause of feeding their country and the world, and in doing so have created the safest and most abundant and affordable food supply in the world. We are working to make sure our kids and families are consuming the healthiest food we produce.”

Agricultural Consolidation Could Be a Factor in Declining Health and Needs Study

The report pointed to the rise of agricultural consolidation as a potential contributing factor for Americans’ declining health. “Our agricultural system has historically focused on abundance and affordability. The progress we have made is largely thanks to the hard work of American farmers, ranchers, and food scientists. However, the rise of UPFs (Ultra-Processed Foods) has corresponded with a pattern of corporatization and consolidation in our food system. Today’s diet-related chronic disease crisis, demand a closer examination of this pattern and its broader impact.”

RELATED: This is why one group raised concerns about agricultural consolidation in Montana. 

Government Nutritional Programs Have Shifted from Original Focus

Improving children’s nutrition and access to food have been original priorities for federal programs, the report said, but those programs have “drifted from their original goals.”

The report stated, “Historically, federal crop insurance programs have primarily covered traditional field crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans, while providing much less support for specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery plants. While specialty crop coverage has been expanding, it still only accounted for 17% of the entire federal crop insurance portfolio by liability during crop year 2017, and subsidies for fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and support for organic foods account for a mere 0.1% of the 2018 Farm Bill.”

Congress has failed to agree on a new Farm Bill since the 2018 version was set to expire in 2023.

MAHA Report Focuses on Chemicals in Discussion About Americans’ Health

Chemicals in various forms merit scrutiny, according to the findings. “More than eight billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in food systems around the world, with the U.S. accounting for roughly 11%, or more than one billion pounds,” the report stated.

Children’s chemical exposure puts them at additional risk because of their developing bodies. “Children’s unique behaviors and developmental physiology make them particularly vulnerable to potential adverse health effects from these cumulative exposures, many of which have no historical precedent in our environment or biology,” the authors of the report noted.

Some studies raised concerns about pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides, according to the report. It stated, “…some of these products and adverse health outcomes, especially in children, but human studies are limited.”

MAHA Report Cites Research into Glyphosate

Glyphosate has demonstrated its strength in limiting weeds in farm and residential use. But the MAHA report points out that glyphosate could have possible health effects. The authors wrote, “…a selection of research studies on a herbicide (glyphosate) have noted a range of possible health effects, ranging from reproductive and developmental disorders as well as cancers, liver inflammation and metabolic disturbances.”

The report cited additional concerns beyond humans. “In experimental animal and wildlife studies, exposure to another herbicide (atrazine) can cause endocrine disruption and birth defects.”

But the report adds that an FDA study found that pesticide residues were largely in line with federal requirements. “Common exposures include lawn care, farming, and pesticide residues; however, a large-scale FDA study of pesticide residues (2009-2017) found the majority of samples (>90%) were compliant with federal standards.”

RELATED: “Consolidation is like a hard beast to stop once it gets rolling. It’s hard to figure out how to stop it,” Natalie Kovarik, “Discover Ag” podcast host, told American Farmland Owner as she addressed concerns about the health of Americans and small farms’ future.