Agriculture Industry Pushes Back on Make America Healthy Again Report Claims

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., links chronic disease in children to ultra-processed foods, chemicals, and vaccines, drawing criticism from agriculture leaders. Farmers and industry groups argue the report unfairly blames agricultural chemicals and farming practices, despite evidence such as the USDA's 2023 findings that 99% of food samples fall within safe pesticide limits. The American Farm Bureau Federation and CropLife America expressed concern that the report sows doubt about the safety of the U.S. food system while excluding farmers from its development. CropLife America and the Georgia Agribusiness Council emphasized the safety and necessity of crop protection tools like glyphosate, which has been rigorously studied and deemed safe for over five decades. Industry representatives stress that exposure to pesticides is not equivalent to risk and warn that misleading language could create undue consumer fear. Overall, agricultural leaders advocate for science-backed decisions and continued access to essential farming tools to maintain a productive and sustainable food supply.