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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., told senators Thursday he would support the development and distribution of avian flu vaccines for people if confirmed as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. But he later qualified that commitment by saying he would not back a specific vaccine before examining the science.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set today for the second of his two confirmation hearings. This time he’ll be before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Its jurisdiction includes the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates 80% of the food supply.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he wants to work closely with prospective Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to help farmers transition to regenerative agricultural techniques, including the use of less chemical-intensive practices that he said are destroying the soil and making people sick.
The Food and Drug Administration has proposed its long-awaited front-of-pack labeling rule, featuring a black-and-white nutrition box that lists information on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars.
The food and beverage industry, Food and Drug Administration and Congress all came under attack at a Senate hearing Thursday that focused on the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease in the U.S., which FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said is in the “unfortunate position” of having “the lowest life expectancy among large, high-income countries."
President-elect Donald Trump is setting up a cabinet of unusually diverse views and backgrounds that together could have a far-reaching impact on the food and agriculture sectors. Farm groups will be counting on his pick to lead USDA, Brooke Rollins, to be an advocate for ag within an administration. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum could be a key ally on energy policy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has caused some concern among the food, nutrition and agriculture industry who are uncertain how MAHA could exactly influence a Trump White House, and impact outstanding regulations on Dietary Guidelines and a healthy food definition.
The speculation season has begun, with several names being floated for Agriculture Secretary in a new Trump administration. Leading the pack: Kip Tom, a former Ambassador to the United Nations, Indiana farmer and a leader of Trump’s ag coalition who celebrated Trump’s victory at Mar-a-Lago last night.