RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' report calls for closer look at processed foods, pesticides, more

WASHINGTON - A highly-anticipated report from health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his "Make America Healthy Again" movement was unveiled on Thursday.

The report called for increased scrutiny of toxins exposed to food, the environment and a description of the nation's children as overmedicated and undernourished.

President Donald Trump promised a review within 100 days that would analyze the ramifications that U.S. lifestyle — from the medications prescribed for children to the food served on their school lunch trays — has on childhood diseases like obesity, depression or attention deficit disorder. 

What’s in the MAHA report? 

Dig deeper:

The report highlighted glyphosate, a pesticide that controls broadleaf weeds and grasses, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

The World Health Organization has labeled that product's key ingredient, glyphosate, as a probable carcinogen for humans.

"It is literally President Trump declaring war on the ultra-processed food and pesticide companies," Vani Hari, a food activist who will be at the White House for the report’s unveiling, told USA Today.

The other side:

Some farmers have shared their worries regarding glyphosate, saying it is an essential tool to help control weeds without excessive tilling. This also helps conserve soil and fuel.

"There’s a reason why we still use it: It works," said Blake Hurst, a Missouri farmer who is past president of the Missouri Farm Bureau.

What they're saying:

"We will save lives by addressing this chronic disease epidemic head on, we're going to save a lot more money in the long run — and even in the short run," Kennedy said.

The report's findings include teenage depression nearly doubling from 2009 to 2019, more than one-in-five children over the age of 6 being considered obese, one-in-31 children diagnosed with autism by age 8 and childhood cancer spiking by 40% since 1975.  

"Over 40% of the roughly 73 million children (aged 0-17) in the United States have at least one chronic health condition, according to the CDC, such as asthma, allergies, obesity, autoimmune diseases, or behavioral disorders," the report stated. "Although estimates vary depending on the conditions included, all studies show an alarming increase over time."

The report itself pointed to a handful of variables leading to what Kennedy and other Trump administration leaders called a "chronic disease crisis," including a "food system (that) is safe but could be healthier;" exposure to environmental chemicals such as pesticides outside or microplastics in food consumed; as well as a culture shift that moved kids from playing outside to being glued to their phones or tablets. 

What's next:

The commission will release its next report advising on how to tackle chronic health issues in the next 100 days, which falls on Aug. 30. 

RFK Jr.’s MAHA 

The backstory:

In April, the U.S. Health and Human Services and Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday plans a goal to phase out more petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply.

The plan is to remove them completely by 2026.

Kennedy and the FDA commissioner, Marty Makary, said a standard timeline will be established for industries to switch to natural alternatives. 

"For the last 50 years we have been running one of the largest uncontrolled scientific experiments in the world on our nation’s children without their consent," Makary said.

He’s also made the number of children being diagnosed with autism a focal point of his agenda to "Make America Healthy Again."

Kennedy has promised to conduct exhaustive studies to identify any environmental factors that may cause the developmental disorder.

"Autism destroys families," Kennedy said. "More importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be suffering like this."

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