WTAS: Secretary Kennedy Announces Landmark Food Policy Reforms to Advance President Trump’s MAHA Agenda

WASHINGTON, D.C.—AUGUST 12, 2026—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Monday announced two landmark actions to modernize federal oversight of food ingredients and establish a stronger scientific foundation for future nutrition policy. HHS proposed a rule requiring manufacturers to notify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when concluding that the use of a substance added to human or animal food is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and, alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), submitted for final review the federal government’s first proposed definition of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

“Nearly 60% of the American diet is made up of ultra-processed foods, and childhood obesity now affects more than one in five American children,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We cannot reverse America’s chronic disease epidemic without transforming our food system. These historic actions bring greater transparency to what’s in our food and stronger science to federal nutrition policy. President Trump and I promised to Make America Healthy Again, and today we are turning that promise into policy.”

Here’s how government officials, medical professionals, advocates, the media, and others are responding to Secretary Kennedy’s actions:

Government Officials
Medical Professionals & Academics 
Advocates & Organizations
Influencers & Members of the Media
Headlines

Government Officials:

• Sen. Tuberville via X: “We must have RADICAL TRANSPARENCY when it comes to our food.”
• Rep. Harshbarger via X: “To reverse America’s chronic disease epidemic, we need to start with what's actually in our food. Proud to support @HHSGov’s efforts with my Nutrition Education and Chronic Disease Prevention in Community Health Centers Act to Make America Healthy Again!”
• Sen. Booker via X: “For years I’ve warned about how companies can add new substances to foods with no safety oversight, via a loophole. There’s lots I disagree with RFK Jr. on, but I am glad the FDA is moving to make companies disclose when they use this loophole. It’s a good first step — now we need the FDA to make sure these new ingredients are safe.”

Medical Professionals & Academics:

• Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., via X: “This is an important reform. FDA has generally lacked sufficient authority to meaningfully regulate these substances; and that lack of authority has stymied similar actions in the past. In this proposed rule, the agency appears to have gone as far as it can, without new Congressional action, to provide greater oversight of food ingredients that are ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ (GRAS).”
• Houman David Hemmati, M.D., Ph.D., ophthalmologist and research scientist via X: “I fully agree with former @FDACommissioner @ScottGottliebMD. Until now, companies making food could self-certify foods as ‘generally regarded as safe’ without FDA oversight in many cases…We are now closer to closing that loophole to ensure the safety of what Americans consume. I applaud the efforts of all involved on this including @FDA_KyleD & @SecKennedy.”

Advocates & Organizations:

• The American Heart Association via X: “The @American_Heart Association welcomes the administration’s efforts to strengthen the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) framework. A science-based, transparent system for evaluating food ingredients is important to protect public health and advance heart and brain health.”
• MAHA Action via X: “RFK Jr. says you can’t take on ultra-processed food until you can define exactly what it is. For the first time, the federal government finally has a proposed definition…”
• MAHA Action via X: “RFK Jr. just announced two MAJOR food reforms: stopping the GRAS loophole and creating America’s first federal definition of ultra-processed food…”
• International Dairy Foods Association President and CEO, Michael Dykes via press release: “IDFA strongly supports a GRAS framework that strengthens consumer confidence and transparency, without coming at the expense of science-based decision-making, innovation or a safe food supply. It is important that we also maintain a science-based federal regulatory pathway that is practical, predictable and workable for the food industry. The GRAS framework outlined today aligns with our expectations.”
• Meat Institute President and CEO, Julie Ann Potts via press release: “The Meat Institute supports updating the GRAS framework in a way that strengthens consumer confidence while preserving a science-based, risk-based regulatory system…We will work closely with FDA and FSIS to ensure reforms continue to protect food safety, support innovation, and preserve affordable meat and poultry options for consumers…Consumers deserve confidence that the ingredients in their food have been rigorously evaluated for safety — and an updated GRAS process can deliver that transparency without disrupting an abundant, affordable food supply. GRAS reform should improve transparency, establish a consistent national standard, while recognizing the unique regulatory framework that governs meat and poultry…”
• Americans for Ingredient Transparency Senior Advisor, Patrice Onwuka via press release: “AFIT supports meaningful, science-based modernization of the GRAS program and efforts to strengthen consumer confidence in the safety and transparency of our food supply. The most durable way to achieve those goals is through bipartisan Congressional action that establishes a transparent, nationally uniform framework for food ingredient oversight. The Administration’s release of a proposed GRAS rule only further underscores the limitations of the existing law…”
• Vani Hari, author and food advocate via X: “I went back to DC to warn Big Food what will happen if they keep poisoning us. TY @SecKennedy @CalleyMeans for continuing to push for closing the GRAS loophole.”
• Andrew Gruel, chef and television cooking host via X: “So glad this is happening. Good work @calleymeans - The GRAS loophole has become a dangerous backdoor in our food system, allowing manufacturers to introduce questionable chemicals without the rigorous independent review Americans expect. Let’s close the loophole, overhaul the GRAS process, and review what’s already in our food.”
• Andrew Gruel, chef and television cooking host via X: “5 trillion on healthcare and we have the worst outcomes.”
• Dr. Dawn Michael, health freedom advocate via X: “For decades the GRAS loophole let toxic chemicals flood our food with almost zero oversight. RFK Jr. and the FDA proposed a major rule to finally close it — forcing companies to notify the government and show their data.”
• The Republican Study Committee via X: “The Trump administration is continuing to deliver on their promise to Make America Healthy Again thanks to the leadership of @SecKennedy and @SecRollins. No more sneaking chemicals into our meals, no more keeping Americans in the dark. This move restores much needed transparency to our food supply.”
• The Food Industry Association Chief Public Policy Officer and General Counsel, Stephanie Harris via press release: “FMI supports meaningful, science-based modernization of the GRAS framework to strengthen transparency, reinforce consumer confidence and ensure the continued safety of the U.S. food supply. We believe FDA should remain the authoritative federal body for evaluating food ingredients and making safety determinations based on rigorous science, qualified expertise and a transparent process. FDA’s proposal is an important step…”
• The Coalition for a Prosperous America’s Trade Counsel, Charles Benoit via X: “Europe insanely vindicated. For decades, US trade negotiators attacked the EU’s precautionary principle (Art. 191 of TFEU). Congratulations @EU_Commission and of course @SecKennedy and @POTUS for standing on solid principles in the face of enormous pressure to do evil.”
• The American Feed Industry Association President and CEO, Constance Cullman via press release: “The American Feed Industry Association understands the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen the safety and transparency of ingredient oversight…”
• Minda Wilson, affordable healthcare advocate via X: “Reining in ultra-processed foods is fundamental to tackling chronic disease in America. But warning labels alone won’t solve it; we need systemic policy shifts that align agricultural subsidies, food standards, and healthcare incentives around real, nutrient-dense nutrition.”
• Noosheen Hashemi, AI innovator, investor, and philanthropist via X: “Two enormous food policy wins from @SecKennedy in a single announcement. First, he’s closing the GRAS loophole. For decades, food companies have quietly declared their own chemicals ‘generally recognized as safe’ without ever telling the FDA. That era is ending. Second, he and Secretary @BrookeRollins just submitted the first-ever federal definition of ultra-processed food. Once that definition is finalized, everything downstream from it changes. Labeling, school lunches, hospital food, nutrition education — you name it!”
• U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund Federal Legislative Advocate, Dina Akhmetshina via press release: “The GRAS designation is an outdated regulatory loophole that has allowed important questions about food safety to go unanswered for too long. As our understanding of food, health and chronic disease has advanced, it is increasingly important that the standards used to determine whether an ingredient is safe keep pace. The FDA’s proposal is a good first step toward empowering regulators to ensure that food ingredients are as safe as Americans deserve.”

Influencers & Members of the Media:

• Sean Spicer (@seanspicer), former White House Press Secretary and host of the Sean Spicer Show via X: “This is a HUGE win for food safety. @SecKennedy slated to unveil plan targeting loophole that allows chemicals in food supply. The practice known as ‘generally recognized as safe’ allows companies to self-certify the safety of certain food chemicals or substances without strict government oversight.”
• Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh), chief content officer at Right Line News and Florida Voice News via X: “WOW! HHS Sec. Bobby Kennedy announces that for the first time ever, the federal government is launching the definition of ‘ultra-processed foods.’ ‘Alongside USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins, we submitted for FINAL review the federal government’s first definition of ultra-processed foods.’ This is how we clean up our food supply and Make America Healthy Again! MAHA is WINNING.”
• Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) via X: “Food companies lost their favorite trick for slipping new chemicals into what people eat without anyone knowing. RFK Jr. and the FDA dropped a proposed rule today that makes them notify the government every time they claim something is ‘generally recognized as safe.’ No more quiet self-approvals. Full transparency on what’s going into the supply.”
• Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) via X: “RFK JR. JUST DROPPED A MAJOR FOOD SAFETY BOMB, MAHA! HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is closing a decades-old loophole that let Big Food quietly add chemicals to our food without telling the FDA. No more ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ free pass. Companies will no longer be able to slip new ingredients into the food supply in secret. RFK Jr.: ‘We promised to take on Big Food… to tell the American people the truth about what is in their food.’ This is exactly what the MAHA movement fought for. Real food. Real transparency. Real accountability. The transformation of America’s food system has officially begun.”
• Gabrielle Etzel (@UnvarnishedGME), reporter at Washington Examiner via X: “BREAKING: @RobertKennedyJr and @FDA_KyleD announced food ingredient transparency. Reforming the ‘GRAS’ (generally recognized as safe) standards at FDA is a key MAHA victory ahead of the 2026 midterms.”
• Jack Kalavritinos (@Jkal1985), host of the Capital Forum interview series via X: “This was a powerful event and important news and policy shift. Honored to be at the HHS event as an HHS/FDA alum and founder of the Wash Health Innovation Council. The focus on fixing ways the federal government has stood in the way of promoting better health and also the power of the bully pulpit is making a difference. Clearly, industry groups, states, other federal agencies, hospitals would not be making these decisions without this kind of all-in approach.”
• Dimitri Bolt, Townhall reporter via Townhall: “[The proposed rule] would bring badly needed transparency to the FDA’s oversight of the food supply. By requiring companies to disclose new ingredients and the evidence used to deem them safe, the policy would give regulators, and ultimately consumers, a clearer understanding of what is going into Americans’ food.”
• @BoLoudon via X: “Big Pharma is SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS after HHS Sec. RFK Jr. just announced the final review of the federal government's first definition of ultra-processed foods has been SUBMITTED. Making America HEALTHY Again.”

Headlines:

• The New York Times: F.D.A Moves Towards Tighter Restrictions on Food Ingredients
• The Washington Post: RFK Jr. is targeting a decades-old loophole allowing chemicals in food supply
• The Wall Street Journal: What’s Changing Under RFK Jr.’s New Food Guidelines
• AP: Trump officials propose new requirements for food additives and ingredients
• The Hill: RFK Jr. aims to close loophole that allows new chemicals in food supply
• CNN: FDA seeks to close decadeslong loophole for food additives
• Washington Examiner: FDA tightens food transparency rules in major MAHA victory
• CNBC: HHS moves to tighten oversight of food ingredients as safety concerns mount
• ABC News: Trump officials propose new scrutiny of food additives and ingredients
• The National News Desk: RFK Jr. and FDA acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas announce new food policy actions
• Time: The Trump Administration Wants More Food Ingredient Disclosure
• Bloomberg: RFK Jr. Demands New Transparency on Safety of Food Additives
• Bloomberg Law: RFK Jr.’s Food Additive Oversight Plan Avoids Approval Path
• STAT: FDA to require notice of additives in food supply for the first time
• Axios: FDA proposes mandatory food ingredient reporting
• FoodNavigator: Health and Human Services proposes new GRAS rules and addresses UPF Definition
• Reuters: US Health Agency moves to increase oversight of food additives
• US News & World Report: FDA Wants More Information from Food Makers on New Food Chemicals
• Townhall: RFK Jr. Takes Major Step to Overhaul America’s Food Safety Rules
• JustTheNews: RFK Jr. moves to close food additive loophole and define ultra-processed foods
• The Washington Times: RFK Jr. announces tightening of regulation that lets food makers decide if additives are safe
• Breitbart: MAHA: RFK Jr. Announces Policy Changes Designed to Modernize Oversight of Food Ingredients
• The Center Square: Proposed rule would require companies to notify FDA of new food additives
• Quartz: HHS is proposing to require food makers to disclose their own safety findings to the FDA
• Spectrum News: RFK Jr. proposes new rule to increase food ingredient oversight
• Inside Health Policy: FDA Proposes Mandatory GRAS Notification, UPF Definition Still With OMB
• Food & Wine: Nearly 99% of New Food Chemicals Entered the Market Through This Loophole — Now RFK Jr. Wants to Change It
• Food Business News: FDA proposes to redefine GRAS
• Food Safety Magazine: FDA Proposes Mandatory GRAS Notifications for Ingredients Introduced to U.S. Food Supply
• Grocery Dive: FDA lays out plan to close ingredients ‘loophole’ targeted by RFK Jr
• Medical Daily: Federal Regulators Move to Close a 1958 Food Ingredient Gap and Define Ultra-Processed Food
• AgriPulse: FDA proposes GRAS definition, advances ‘white paper’ on ultra-processed foods
• NOTUS: RFK Jr. Proposes New Reporting Requirements for Ultra-Processed Foods
• Nutrition Insight: US proposes self-GRAS FDA oversight and definition of ultra-processed foods
• Food Fix: FDA proposes mandatory notification for GRAS determinations
• MedPage Today: Trump Officials Propose New Scrutiny of Food Additives and Ingredients
• Progressive Grocer: RFK Jr.’s HHS Proposes Overhaul of Food Ingredient Safety Reporting