Washington, D.C., July 23, 2025 –Under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture are accelerating federal efforts to address the growing concerns around ultra-processed foods and the current epidemic of diet-related chronic disease that is plaguing America. The agencies are announcing a joint Request for Information (RFI) to gather information and data to help establish a federally recognized uniform definition for ultra-processed foods—a critical step in providing increased transparency to consumers about the foods they eat.

"Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "We must act boldly to eliminate the root causes of chronic illness and improve the health of our food supply. Defining ultra-processed foods with a clear, uniform standard will empower us even more to Make America Healthy Again."

Currently, there is no single authoritative definition for ultra-processed foods for the U.S. food supply. Creating a uniform federal definition will serve as a key deliverable on the heels of the recently published Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment, which recognizes that the overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is one of the driving factors of the childhood chronic disease crisis.

“President Trump has made it a priority to improve health outcomes for American families and communities. And this Request for Information is yet another step in seeking commonsense ways to foster improved and more informed consumer choice. A unified, widely understood definition for ultra processed foods is long overdue and I look forward to continued partnership with Secretary Kennedy to Make America Healthy Again. As this process unfolds, I will make certain the great men and women of the agriculture value chain are part of the conversation,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.

“I am delighted to lead this critical effort at the FDA,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “The threats posed to our health by foods often considered ultra-processed are clear and convincing, making it imperative that we work in lockstep with our federal partners to advance, for the first time ever, a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods.”

It is estimated that approximately 70% of packaged products in the U.S. food supply are foods often considered ultra-processed, and that children get over 60% of their calories from such foods. Dozens of scientific studies have found links between the consumption of foods often considered ultra-processed with numerous adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity and neurological disorders. Helping to address overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is a key element to Make America Healthy Again.

A uniform definition of ultra-processed foods will allow for consistency in research and policy to pave the way for addressing health concerns associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods. The RFI will be publicly available in the federal register on July 24 and seeks information on what factors and criteria should be included in a definition of ultra-processed foods.

Alongside developing a uniform definition, the FDA and National Institutes of Health are investing in high-quality research to help answer remaining questions about the health impacts of ultra-processed foods through its recently announced Nutrition Regulatory Science Program. The Department will also continue to pursue developing and implementing other key policies and programs that seek to, collectively, dramatically reduce chronic disease and help ensure a healthy future for our nation.

###

Washington, D.C., May 22, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today joined President Donald J. Trump in releasing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission Report at the White House. The report is a call to evaluate the many reasons American families, particularly children, face high rates of chronic health issues, and it encourages additional research and education on diet, environmental exposures, lack of physical activity, and overmedicalization.

“We must do more to improve the health outcomes of our kids and families, and President Trump knows agriculture is at the heart of the solution. America’s farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to the noble cause of feeding their country and the world, and in doing so have created the safest and most abundant and affordable food supply in the world. We are working to make sure our kids and families are consuming the healthiest food we produce,” said Secretary Rollins. “I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Kennedy and other members of the MAHA Commission to improve our nation’s health.”

At the direction of President Trump, USDA is ensuring programs work harder to encourage healthy eating and improved lifestyle habits. Secretary Rollins has called on all governors to submit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waivers to empower states to help their communities meet those same goals. This week, Secretary Rollins signed the first-ever waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from Nebraska’s SNAP program.

In the last few weeks, Secretary Rollins has worked with America’s dairy producers to voluntarily remove artificial colors from products sold to K-12 schools for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs beginning during the 2026-2027 school year. Tyson Foods also committed to voluntarily removing petroleum food dyes from their products by the end of this month.

Secretary Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are actively working together in crafting sensical Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), which are set to be released soon. The agencies are working to ensure federal nutrition advice is sound, simple, and clear. The guidelines will prioritize whole, healthy, and nutritious foods such as dairy, fruits, vegetables, and meats, and suggest limitations of foods high in sugar and salt.

###

Washington, D.C., April 30, 2025 - In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has taken action to support the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and put Farmers First at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Farmers come first at the United States Department of Agriculture in the Trump Administration. We have had an action-packed first 100 days of President Donald J. Trump in the White House. At USDA, I have made bold changes to improve the lives of American producers and consumers. I look forward to continuing our work to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American farmers and ranchers leading the way,” said Secretary Rollins.

Secretary Rollins also visited 15 states in the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, including Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Ohio, and Iowa.

On day one, Secretary Rollins took action to support America’s farmers and ranchers, and in just her first week on the job, Secretary Rollins traveled to four states to hear directly from producers and to see their operations firsthand. In her first month, Secretary Rollins moved swiftly to advance key priorities focused on efficiency and agricultural prosperity.

In the first 100 days, USDA has put Farmers First. At Secretary Rollins’ direction, USDA has

• Supported American poultry and egg producers, addressed the avian flu, and lowered the cost of eggs for consumers. In February, Secretary Rollins announced a five-point plan to combat the avian flu and lower egg prices which has been applauded by agriculture and government leaders across the country. Since the plan was introduced, the wholesale price of eggs has decreased 56 percent.
• Taken bold action to respond to disease outbreaks to strengthen the domestic food supply, because food security is national security. This includes work to put pressure on the Mexican government for failing to cooperate in addressing the New World Screwworm or meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. As a result of these negotiations, Secretary Rollins announced a major win for American agriculture by securing the agreement of the Mexican government to meet the current water needs of farmers and ranchers in Texas.
• Dropped criminal charges against Charles and Heather Maude, a South Dakota family with a small cattle and hog operation, who endured a senseless politically motivated prosecution waged by the Biden Administration over 25 acres of U.S. Forest Service federal land.
• Fought for fair trade for all American farmers and ranchers by tackling trade barriers and visiting six countries in the next six months to expand market access.
• Unleashed American energy dominance through expanded access to mining and drilling on federal land and releasing a biofuels incentive program to help fuel America.
• Streamlined unnecessary regulations and cutting red tape for agricultural producers and industries to allow them to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. This work included sweeping reforms to boost timber production, streamline pork and poultry processing, and reduce wildfire risk through public-private partnerships.
• Approved a variety of congressionally authorized fund distributions to support communities affected by wind storms and disasters and the agricultural sector.
• Worked to reduce the cost of living for farmers and consumers, including seeking reform for H2A and H2B visas to ensure reliable, legal labor on farms and ranches.
• Sought out and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in all USDA programs, including improper payments, SNAP fraud, and woke programs that don’t put Farmers First. Woke programs include a climate slush fund and funding to schools that violate Title IX and endanger women and girls.
• Led major steps to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) through reforming SNAP and nutrition education services. The MAHA movement at USDA has also supported major voluntary changes to make food healthier.
• Took leadership to make rural America prosper again by reducing regulations and revitalizing communities.

###

Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Texas with U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss food security and learn how America’s farmers are working to Make America Healthy Again. During the visit, Secretary Rollins met at the Texas A&M Beef Center to provide an update on the status of the New World Screwworm. Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy visited cutting-edge laboratories at the Texas A&M Norman E. Borlaug Building, received a briefing on the Grand Nutrition Challenge at the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture. The Secretaries then toured the Automated Precision Phenotyping Greenhouse in addition to touring the fourth-generation Sawyer Farms who are utilizing stewardship practices to ensure healthy production of a robust barley, rye, corn, and wheat crop.

“Making America Healthy Again starts with supporting America’s farmers and ranchers. In Texas, I was joined by Secretary Kennedy to do just that. At USDA, I am negotiating with Mexico to stop the spread of invasive species like the New World Screwworm, and Secretary Kennedy and I are working together to ensure that our kids and families are consuming the healthiest food produced in the U.S.A.,” said Secretary Rollins.

“It was an honor to join Secretary Rollins in her home state of Texas,” said Secretary Kennedy. “Together, HHS and USDA are taking on the chronic disease epidemic by fixing our broken food system and giving families the tools they need to eat well, stay healthy, and Make America Healthy Again.”

Over the weekend, Secretary Rollins sent a letter to her counterpart in Mexico demanding Mexico eliminate impediments on aircraft operations and landings that are critically impairing the U.S. response to combat the ongoing spread of the New World Screwworm across Mexico, thereby preventing it from entering the United States. Secretary Rollins also announced a major win for American agriculture yesterday by securing the agreement of the Mexican government to meet the current water needs of farmers and ranchers in Texas as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. The Mexican government committed to transfer water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. share of the flow in six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle. While negotiations were ongoing with Mexico, Secretary Rollins announced a $280 million grant agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to provide critical economic relief to eligible Rio Grande Valley farmers and producers suffering from Mexico’s ongoing failure to meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, Secretary Rollins has affirmed the bold leadership of President Donald J. Trump by supporting America First Policies.

At the direction of President Trump, USDA and HHS are ensuring programs work harder to encourage healthy eating and lifestyle habits. As part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission led by Secretary Kennedy, this work will not only research and report the many reasons children face unbelievable rates of diet-related disease like obesity and diabetes but also how government can implement change through things like revised dietary policy, state innovation, and less regulation. The visit to Texas A&M Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (IHA) included amplifying the HHS and USDA commitment to a timely and consumer-facing Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). On March 11, 2025, after the inaugural meeting of the Make America Healthy Again Commission, Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy announced a commitment to a final DGA no later than Dec. 31, 2025. Secretary Rollins has taken major steps to Make America Healthy Again through encouraging states to reform SNAP and nutrition education services. The MAHA movement at USDA has also supported major voluntary changes to make food healthier, including applauding the dairy industry for voluntarily removing artificial colors from the National School Lunch Program.

Earlier today, USDA introduced funding for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program to assist specialty crop growers with rising input costs and aide in the expansion of domestic markets. This would support Texas producers as they grow fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts and other specialty crops to Make America Healthy Again. USDA has also awarded over $521 million to 19,675 farmers in Texas through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year.

###

Washington, D.C. April 7, 2025 – Today U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services John Walk engaged in formal consultation with Tribal Nations on the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).  The consultation continues USDA’s practice of regular government-to-government dialogue on this important nutrition program.  

“I enjoyed the privilege of consulting on behalf of USDA with Tribal Nations,” said Acting Deputy Under Secretary Walk, “it was a distinct honor to have meaningful dialogue directly with Tribal leaders on important issues related to FDPIR and the delivery of nutrition services to Indian Country and other income-eligible Native American households.”    

The consultation was held in Chandler, Arizona concurrently with the Tribal Self Governance Conference.  “I express my deepest gratitude to the Gila River Indian Community for your wonderful hospitality hosting this important consultation, and thank you Governor Mountain, Vice Chair Lohnes, and Tribal leaders for your leadership and thoughtful insight,” said Acting Deputy Under Secretary Walk.

FDPIR provides food to approximately 53,000 income-eligible households on tribal reservations and Native American households.  Also, FDPIR offers nutrition education to help reduce hunger and support nutritious diets.  FDPIR is administered by 107 Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and three state agencies serving approximately 280 federally recognized Tribes nationwide.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.