In keeping with our weekly tradition, here's a roundup of the latest developments from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and initiatives led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) over the past week:
1. Arizona Legislators Advance School Nutrition Reforms
Arizona lawmakers are advancing bills inspired by the MAHA movement. One notable bill aims to ban schools from serving ultraprocessed foods containing additives like potassium bromate and certain red dyes. The Senate health committee has unanimously passed this bill, reflecting a growing commitment to improving public health through dietary reforms.
2. Launch of 'Operation Stork Speed' to Enhance Infant Formula Safety
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under the leadership of RFK Jr., has announced 'Operation Stork Speed,' an initiative to ensure the quality, safety, and nutritional adequacy of infant formula. The program includes increased testing for heavy metals and other contaminants, as well as encouraging the development of new infant formulas.
3. Major Restaurant Chains Eliminate Seed Oils
Several restaurant chains, including Steak 'n Shake, Popeyes, Outback Steakhouse, Sweetgreen, and Buffalo Wild Wings, are replacing seed oils in their cooking processes. This shift aligns with MAHA's advocacy against seed oils, which are believed to pose health risks. Steak 'n Shake's switch to beef tallow for frying is a notable example of this change.
4. Proposals to Slash U.S. Drug Prices
The America First Policy Institute is signaling that significant changes in U.S. drug pricing under President Trump are imminent. The institute has produced a paper to combat what it refers to as pharmaceutical "global freeloading," suggesting policy options like linking U.S. drug prices to international prices. This aligns with MAHA's goals to reduce drug prices and address international price disparities.