MAHA Commission Report: Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy

CHICAGO, September 10, 2025 — On September 9th, The Trump Administration released its anticipated Make Our Children
Healthy Again Strategy which includes 128 specific strategies and recommendation to address childhood chronic disease. The Strategy outlines comprehensive nutrition, health, and regulatory objectives that will influence federal policy for the foreseeable future. Upon publication of the report, a press event was held featuring HHS Secretary Kennedy, USDA Secretary Rollins, and FDA Commissioner Dr. Makary, NIH Director Bhattacharya, Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley, and others.

In his remarks Secretary Kennedy reported that 76.4% of the U.S. population is affected by chronic diseases, and that the nation’s healthcare spending surpasses that of any other country. He highlighted several critical areas in the report including reducing harmful chemicals in foods,improving front of pack labeling regulations including sugar, sodium, and ultra-processed foods, integrating nutrition and metabolic health education into medical training, updating standards for government-funded food programs, reforming SNAP, and enhancing infant formula programs. In her remarks Secretary Rollins mentioned that the USDA is working on new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines will emphasize whole foods, including whole-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and meats, and will also recommend reducing consumption of highly processed and high-sugar foods. She concluded by emphasizing that while the American food system is among the safest, there is a critical need to make it the healthiest in the world.

The report centers on four main strategies for executive action: advancing research, realigning incentives, increasing public awareness, and encouraging private sector collaboration. The Strategy emphasizes evidence-based innovation with AI tools, regulatory reform, a stronger approach to prevention by focusing on nutrition, and better federal agency coordination. Below are key points from the report on policy reforms with a focus on nutrition. IFMA will share a full assessment of the report in the coming days.

• Food Dyes: The FDA will continue advance policies to restrict or ban petroleum-based food dyes in all food products approved in the U.S. The USDA will apply these rules to federally funded nutrition programs, including school lunches.
  
  
• FDA Post-Market Chemical Additive Review: The FDA will continue improving its systematic, evidence-based process for assessing chemicals in food, including additives, colorants, GRAS substances, materials in contact with food, and unintentional contaminants.
  
  
• Ultra-Processed Foods: The USDA, HHS, and FDA will maintain ongoing efforts to establish a unified federal definition for "Ultra-processed Food," thereby facilitating future research initiatives and potential policy development.
  
  
• Nutrition Labeling: The FDA will review comments from the proposed Front-of-Pack (FOP) Nutrition Information rule and the upcoming DGAs before a potential release of a final FOP rule. IFMA The Food Away From Home Association point to consider: The agency plans to publish the final rule in Spring 2026 as noted in its Spring Regulatory Agenda.
  
  
• Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Reform: The FDA will revise regulations, within the scope of statutory authority, to close the “GRAS loophole,” require mandatory GRAS notifications, and increase consumer transparency about substances in the food supply. IFMA The Food Away From Home Association point to consider - The FDA has been criticized for not being cautious and lacking transparency in ingredient approval, especially regarding the GRAS “loophole.” The agency plans to propose updates to the GRAS process later this Fall, as indicated in its Spring Regulatory Agenda.
  
  
• Food Allergies (newly added priority): FDA will issue guidance on food allergy diagnostics and treatments and recommend clearer ingredient disclosures for conditions like Celiac disease and other known allergens.
  
  
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs): The USDA and HHS will update the 2025–2030 guidelines to reflect current science and health recommendations in an accessible format. They also plan to reform the DGA development process, including committee structure and scientific review.
  
  
• Guidelines to Limit Direct Marketing of Some Foods to Children: HHS, FTC, and other agencies will explore the development of industry guidelines to limit the direct marketing of
  certain unhealthy foods to children and assess misleading claims and images.
  
  
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): USDA will offer technical assistance to states in developing and implementing SNAP waivers restrict the purchase of “junk food” with the goal of aligning the program towards better nutrition.
  
  

Fostering Private Sector Collaboration

• Whole, Healthy Foods: HHS, USDA, ED, VA, and DOD will collaborate to enhance access to whole, nutritious foods within government-supported nutrition initiatives and meal programs. This includes settings such as schools, correctional facilities, and VA hospitals, with the goal of ensuring that wholesome food options are available to populations in need.
  
  
• Eating Healthy at Restaurants (newly added priority): HHS and USDA will partner with restaurants to promote education and awareness regarding healthy, age-appropriate menu options for children, in alignment with the DGAs.
  
  

Food Deregulations – Whole Milk is in!

• Allow schools to sell whole milk along with reduced-fat options.
• Remove reduced-fat mandates in federal nutrition programs to support consumer choice.

Press Releases: USDA and HHS