Robert Kennedy’s Changes to Food Policy - Jay Lee’s U.S. Communications (145)

FDA, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 13 Other Agencies Under Supervision

MAHA Agenda Proposes Transparent Labeling, Ultra-Processed Food Regulations, and More

Strengthening GRAS Criteria Could Lead to the Ban of More Food Additives

By Lee Jong-chan, CEO of J&B Food Consulting

Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) was confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Senate. In this role, he will oversee 13 critical agencies in U.S. health policy, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other healthcare services.

With the Trump administration having recently laid off thousands of employees from agencies like the FDA and CDC, attention is now on what changes Kennedy might bring to FDA policy.

The Trump administration made reducing the size of the federal government a hallmark of its first month in office, a strategy that impacted the FDA and other HHS agencies. Additionally, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Freedom to Prosper through Regulatory Relief” (Executive Order 14192), which required that for every new regulation proposed by an administration or agency, at least 10 existing regulations be removed.

Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda focuses heavily on improving nutrition in the U.S. He has proposed comprehensive measures including the restructuring of the FDA's organization responsible for nutrition labeling, more transparent labeling, stricter FDA oversight of ultra-processed foods, limitations on ultra-processed foods in school meals, and bans on certain food additives and chemicals.

At the end of the Biden administration, the FDA introduced proposed rules for front-of-package nutrition labeling to help consumers make healthier food choices. This rule is likely to be finalized under Kennedy's leadership.

Kennedy has repeatedly stated his desire to restrict food additives and chemicals in ultra-processed foods. Many food additives and new ingredients used in dietary supplements are currently marketed through the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) process.

If the GRAS criteria are strengthened, with more additives included in the pre-market review process, there will likely be increased oversight of new food additives. The FDA could also ban additional food additives, as it did with Red No. 3 at the end of the Biden administration.

Currently, food safety in the U.S. is managed by both the FDA and the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). During his first term, President Trump issued Executive Order 13781, calling for the creation of a single food safety agency that would combine the FDA and FSIS inspection services.

This reform was supported by food safety experts, and the unified organization aligns with the current administration’s goals for staffing and efficiency. However, as mentioned earlier, this reform may not be simple since the FDA currently holds legal authority over food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

It is difficult to predict which of Kennedy's policy positions will ultimately lead to real change, but one thing is clear: uncertain times have begun for the FDA. Export companies will need to closely monitor developments.

Tag#USA #FoodPolicy #FoodLabeling #FDA #Trump

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