The Future of Food Policy: MAHA and the States Leading the Way
Back in December 2024, the first signs that MAHA might become something real - and not just political rhetoric - emerged with the launch of the MAHA Caucus in Congress. After months of campaign promises and speeches by RFK Jr., this was the first concrete signal that the Trump administration intended to act on the MAHA agenda. The creation of the MAHA Commission soon followed in February 2025 through an Executive Order signed by President Trump, reinforcing the sense that something substantive could come from the early discussions.
In May 2025, the MAHA Commission released its first major document: the Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment. Calling this report a “lightning rod” within the food and health industries is an understatement. While it spotlighted long-standing areas of concern (ultra-processed foods, rising childhood disease, and the over-medicalization of children), it also contained serious credibility issues. Investigators quickly identified mis-citations, references to nonexistent studies, and what appeared to be AI-generated or fabricated sources. What initially seemed promising was soon overshadowed by criticism over the report’s scientific rigor and the reliability of its conclusions.
Four months later, the Commission released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy Report, outlining more than 120 proposed initiatives to reduce childhood chronic disease. These initiatives ranged across food regulation, chemical and additive oversight, nutrition policy, public-health research, and private-sector collaboration. Industry stakeholders welcomed the shift from broad condemnation to concrete action plans. However, it was also clear that the Commission had softened several of the stronger stances from the initial Assessment, most notably, a more measured tone on pesticides and certain agricultural issues.
While any new federal legislation will take considerable time to work through the rulemaking process, we are beginning to see movement at the national level, primarily around synthetic color additives, where the FDA has initiated bans and phase-outs. More noticeable, however, has been the acceleration of state-level action. States such as California, West Virginia, and Texas have enacted new laws targeting additives, dyes, and other food-safety concerns, with many additional states signaling they may follow. We are still early in this transition, but the trend aligns with regulatory directions taken by other large countries that have already tightened control over their food supply chains.
It remains unclear how successful MAHA will be at the federal level, given the credibility challenges of its early reports and the slow pace of rulemaking. Yet the momentum at the state level is unmistakable and may ultimately define MAHA’s real-world impact. What is emerging is a two-track dynamic: federal efforts hampered by questions of legitimacy, and state-led reforms moving quickly to reshape food and health policy. If states continue to act decisively, they could set de facto national standards by forcing industry compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
In the end, MAHA’s future may hinge less on Washington than on the states already rewriting the rules of the food system suggesting that the health of America’s children will be shaped from the ground up.
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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.
