WASHINGTON D.C.—On August 10, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) issued a press release announcing landmark food policy reforms. The new policies are part of Secretary Kennedy and President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.
The FDA and the HHS have introduced a new reporting policy procedure for both human and animal-grade foods and substances that are determined to be Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) to provide clean labels to the FDA and HHS. This process joins the clean labeling requirements for Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs).
Secretary Kennedy issued a statement linking ultra-processed foods to childhood obesity.
“Nearly sixty percent of the American diet is made up of ultra-processed foods, and childhood obesity now affects more than one in five American children. We cannot reverse America’s chronic disease epidemic without transforming our food system.
These historic actions bring greater transparency to what’s in our food and stronger science to federal nutrition policy. President Trump and I promised to Make America Healthy Again, and today we are turning that promise into policy.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, stated that, “President Trump has been committed to Making America Healthy Again since the start of his administration, and today’s announcement is another step to achieving that goal.
Secretary Kennedy has brought renewed attention to the food all Americans have been eating, and this action will bring greater transparency for consumers when choosing their ingredients. Our nation’s farmers and ranchers are the frontline in the MAHA mission, and we will continue to put real, healthy food at the top of the agenda every day in the Trump Administration.”
The U.S. allows food additives and agricultural chemicals that are banned or heavily restricted in other regions
The European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and parts of Asia do not permit the use of potassium bromate, azodicarbonamide, ractopamine, BHA, BHT, or synthetic food dyes (Red Dye Number 3).
Red Dye number 40 (RD 40) has been a concern of parents in the U.S. due to the behavioral problems and hyperactivity in small children.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that Potassium bromate causes acute digestive distress, severe kidney damage, hearing loss, and genetic mutations linked to cancer.
The FDA reports that Red Dye 03 causes behavioral issues and hyperactivity in some children.
The Cleveland Health Clinic claims that RD 40 may cause the same behavioral issues and hyperactivity, and additionally, could cause swelling and hives.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) may cause short-term reactions in some individuals. Headaches, migraines, sweating, clammy skin, warm to the touch, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, chest pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, and nausea.
PepsiCo offers a Simply NKD, the Frito-Lay product line with dye-free alternatives. Amy’s Kitchen is a pioneer of additive-free products with non-UPF Verified labels. Simple Mills offers non-ultra-processed items and whole foods, with clean labels. Chomps and Olya Foods practice transparency initiatives with minimally processed production.
