Kennedy Jr. may not target pesticides, processed foods, 'MAHA' draft report shows
FILE-Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a press conference on the steps of the United States Department of Agriculture on July 14, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
A new "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) draft report on children’s health outcomes reveals that the Trump administration won’t limit common food production practices like pesticide use.
This latest version of the document follows a previous report by the MAHA commission, which is led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., released in May that centered on pesticides and processed food and the over-prescription of medications and vaccines, for rising rates of childhood obesity, diabetes and other illnesses, Reuters reported.
What’s in the ‘MAHA’ draft report?
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The document, obtained by the New York Times, includes changes like investigating food ingredients and chemical exposures and improving FDA regulatory guidance, while calling for the Trump administration to promote healthier diets and evaluate vaccines and prescription drugs.
This draft also outlines the Trump administration’s support of research on technologies to help farmers minimize pesticide use and on the health effects of exposure to chemicals. It also requests a campaign to bring public attention to current pesticide review procedures.
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The document states that the Environmental Protection Agency will work to notify the public of its pesticide review process while working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to tout the application of pesticides, which can lower their overall use.
Citing the report, Reuters noted that the EPA will consider exclusions from pollution legislation for some farms and meat processing operations and the Health and Human Services Department will probe injuries from vaccines and antidepressants.
Additionally, the HHS and the Federal Trade Commission will consider procedures to restrict direct marketing of unhealthy foods to children and the Trump administration will work to refine food quality in hospitals and prisons.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by The New York Times, which obtained a copy of the draft report, and Reuters. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.