ABA, IFT respond to MAHA Commission report

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ABA, IFT respond to MAHA Commission report

28 May 2025

Annie Hollon

Annie Hollon is a journalist, copywriter and social media strategist from the Dallas, Texas area. She found a love for magazine writing during her time at the University of Alabama where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in public relations and English. Beyond writing, you can find her expanding her library, attempting to teach herself the guitar and trying new hobbies.

WASHINGTON, DC — The Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., released its “Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment,” which outlines potential drivers for chronic childhood disease in the US.

One of the four drivers identified in the report is “The Shift to Ultra Processed Foods,” which accounts for 15 of the report’s 73 pages.

Among the findings, the report makes various claims related to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their role in American diets, particularly for children.

The assessment refers to research associating UPFs with negative health outcomes, including nutrition depletion, increased caloric intake and inclusion of food additives.

The MAHA report points to the dominance of ultra-processed grains, sugars and fats ingredients in foods such as cakes, cookies, refined breads and snacks.

The commission also pointed to potential negative effects from the use of food additives, including emulsifiers, binders, sweeteners, colorings and preservatives. This follows measures announced by the FDA to phase out synthetic dyes as well as fast-track the approval of natural alternatives.

Whole foods produced in the US are being elevated as the step toward reversing childhood chronic illness, the report states.

“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,” said US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We are working to make sure our kids and families are consuming the healthiest food we produce. I look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy and other members of the MAHA Commission to improve our nation’s health.”

The MAHA Commission is now charged with producing a comprehensive strategy by August 12 based on the findings in the assessment.

Associations respond

The American Bakers Association (ABA) issued the following statement regarding the report and its findings:

“ABA recognizes the administration’s focus on the health and wellbeing of Americans and values the role that food and nutrition play in supporting that goal. At the heart of this mission, our nation’s commercial bakers proudly serve families and communities across generations as they champion a safe and consistent food supply that honors the trust consumers place in our products.

The baking industry takes this responsibility seriously. With more than 99% of American households enjoying baked goods every year, these foods are a nourishing and meaningful part of daily life and celebrations. By sourcing more than 85% of core ingredients from US farmers, commercial bakers support local agriculture and rural economies while ensuring that nutritious, homegrown foods make their way to tables nationwide.

As consumer preferences evolve, the commercial baking industry remains steadfast in its commitment to food safety, transparency, collaboration, and the consistent delivery of high-quality baked goods to Americans every day. ABA looks forward to finding opportunities to engage with the administration and congressional leaders to ensure the framework of the MAHA Commission’s report is scientifically sound, operationally practical for bakers and supports Americans’ balanced lifestyles.”

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) also commented:

“The release of the MAHA Commission Report emphasized the need for more ‘gold-standard science,’ something that IFT’s scientific members spanning academia, government, and industry have delivered for more than 85 years across numerous administrations. IFT serves as the objective voice of the food science community, advocating for truth in science that helps create a healthier food system. The report spotlighted advancements that the panelists view as needed within our food system to better support children’s health, but a more holistic analysis of the extensive evidence-based scientific body of knowledge on food and public health needs to be included — an issue we hope the MAHA Commission remedies over the next 80 days as it prepares its actionable recommendations. In addition, there needs to be a broad stakeholder coalition to drive positive changes in public health, and that coalition for change must involve the food science community that has helped ensure we have a global food system that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all.”

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