MAHA & The Food Industry: A New Era of Reform and Responsibility
In May, the Trump Administration released the Make Our Children Healthy Again report—commonly referred to as the MAHA Report—which has sparked widespread discussion and debate. As the conversation unfolds, we’ll be diving into its implications for the food industry through a series of weekly posts. While the report spans a broad range of topics, our lens will remain focused on the food, beverage, and consumer goods sectors—where we continue to support companies navigating change and driving innovation.
While the MAHA report was published by the Trump Administration, the architect is Robert Kennedy Jr, Health & Human Services Secretary. RFK has been a long-time critic of the food industry and now with him being at the helm of HHS, he has an opportunity to enact his opinions with new policies and declarations. To be clear, much of what is being discussed in the MAHA report relating to food is not a new conversation. A few states have already enacted some policies banning specific food dyes and additives, but, on a global scale, many countries have outlawed the inclusion of many of these ingredients for years, if not decades. The conversation isn't new but the focus at the state and federal level has certainly been heightened in the US.
When you boil down the MAHA report to focus on the main areas that impact the food industry, we have them defined as follows:
- Focus on Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs)
- Environmental Contaminants in Food such as pesticides, PFAS, microplastics, etc.
- Removal of Food Additives (think any numbered dye)
While debate rages on in Washington as to how to move forward after the publishing of the report, it's almost certain that some changes will come soon. One area of focus (at least two bills to date have been put up for vote) is the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) program. In a future post we will dig more into what GRAS is and the changes proposed but the point here is that the MAHA report is broad and could have many implications on how current products, as well as new entrants, will face extra scrutiny and possible reformulations to be on shelves of various stores.
As previously noted, several states—including California and Texas—have already taken legislative action on food dyes, either by restricting their use or requiring warning labels. And they won’t be the last. With more than a dozen states currently considering similar bills, the regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly. This raises a critical question for food manufacturers: How can I develop products that meet the requirements of the widest possible market?
There are endless questions to be posed after the first report was published and we are here to help you think about what comes next. In our next post, while we all await the second MAHA report to be published, we will review some of the federal action going on and delve into a few states that have passed and enacted new laws.
For questions on how the MAHA report may impact your Food and Beverage Innovation reach out to discuss with our team of experts.
Meet the Author
Dan Brouman - President - Eurofins Product Development & Innovation
Since joining Eurofins in 2017, Dan Brouman has been a driving force behind the company’s growth and transformation. With a sharp strategic mind and a passion for innovation, he’s led key initiatives across multiple divisions—from environmental testing to food safety—delivering measurable impact and long-term value.
Dan’s journey began at Eurofins Environmental, where he spearheaded the acquisition of CEI, doubling revenue and significantly improving EBITA margins. He later took the helm at Eurofins Craft Technologies, launching the SAFER@WORK program during the COVID-19 pandemic to help businesses navigate safety protocols. Most recently, his leadership at Eurofins Food Testing Netherlands helped boost profitability and position the operation for future success.
Armed with a B.S. in Economics from John Carroll University and an MBA from The Wharton School, Dan brings deep expertise in financial analysis, pricing strategy, and operational excellence. Today, he leads Eurofins Product Development & Innovation with a clear vision: to push boundaries, elevate standards, and shape the future of food testing and innovation.
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