The Make America Healthy Again Commission Tuesday (Sept. 9, 2025) released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a sweeping plan with more than 120 initiatives to reverse the failed policies that fueled America's childhood chronic disease epidemic. The strategy outlines targeted executive actions to advance gold-standard science, realign incentives, increase public awareness, and strengthen private-sector collaboration.
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association welcomed the release of the Make America Healthy Again Commission's second report. In May, the MAHA Commission's first report highlighted the positive role beef plays in a healthy diet. The second report expanded on the benefits of high-quality protein like beef and the critical role cattle producers play in helping make America healthy again.
"From every angle, it is tough to beat American beef. Our farmers and ranchers raise the best beef in the world, providing a healthy, fresh protein option to millions of families every day," said NCBA President and cattle producer Buck Wehrbein. "We responsibly steward millions of acres of land, water, and wildlife habitat, including some of America's most cherished landscapes and species. We pump lifeblood into the local economies of tens of thousands of communities across the rural American heartland. No matter how you look at it, American beef is the perfect fit for the MAHA Commission's goals."
The second MAHA report takes a holistic approach to the health, safety, and security of our food supply chain. Highlights from the report include:
* Stressing the need for a diet high in whole, unprocessed foods like fresh beef, fruits, and vegetables to support Americans' health at every age and stage of life.
* Encouraging innovation that helps American agriculture stay at the leading edge of safe, healthy, nutritious food production.
* Jumpstarting gold-standard scientific research to answer targeted questions on the connection between diet, other lifestyle choices, and health outcomes.
* Exploring ways to boost consumption of fresh, healthy, locally produced foods.
"This report confirms the science-based recommendation that making America healthy again has to start with safe, nutritious, fresh, whole-ingredient and American beef hits the target on all of the above," said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. "As this administration has pointed out before, beef is the crown jewel of American agriculture. Millions of American families build a healthy plate around our product every week. We will continue working with President Trump's administration to keep the supply chain moving and keep the safest, highest quality beef in the world on grocery store shelves."
Years of peer-reviewed research, including clinical trials -- the gold-standard for research -- have proven that beef plays a key role in a healthy, balanced diet for Americans of all ages. A single 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides half of Americans' daily protein needs with 10 essential nutrients, in fewer than 170 calories. To receive the same amount of protein from most plant sources, you would have to eat at least twice as many calories. The nutrients in beef, including protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, are critical for strengthening muscle, fueling a healthy metabolism, supporting cognitive development, and ensuring healthy living. As a source of nourishment and satisfaction in balanced diets, beef can help build and sustain healthy eating habits from childhood through adulthood.
The American Soybean Association expressed cautious optimism following the Make America Healthy Again Commission's release of the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy and thanked the administration for increasing engagement with agricultural stakeholders since the May report.
The strategy acknowledges the Environmental Protection Agency's robust, science-based pesticide approval process, a welcome shift from earlier critiques, and highlights the benefits of precision agriculture while proposing policies to expand access to these tools.
"Soybean farmers are thankful the MAHA Commission recognized EPA's approval process as the global gold standard," said ASA President Caleb Ragland. "Between the May report and today's strategy, the Commission was accessible and open to learning more about modern farming practices. We truly felt like we had a seat at the table, and for that, we are incredibly appreciative."
However, ASA remains concerned about the misinformed rhetoric from some Commission members around edible soybean oil. Not only is soybean oil backed by decades of science confirming its safety and nutritional value for consumers, but it is also a vital domestic market. We urge careful consideration of any upcoming rulemakings that could negatively impact U.S. farmers and the public.
The National Sorghum Producers commends the Administration for engaging agricultural stakeholders in the development of the report and for recognizing the central role U.S. farmers play in advancing a healthier America.
The strategy affirms the Environmental Protection Agency's role as the global gold standard in regulating crop protection tools, and it reflects respect for sound science in guiding federal decision-making. The report also highlights farmers' leadership in innovation, from conservation and soil health to the adoption of precision agriculture technologies that improve sustainability and reduce inputs.
"As a farmer and a mother, I am proud to see the Administration acknowledge the importance of agriculture in building healthier futures," said NSP Chair Amy France, a farmer from Scott City, Kan. "Sorghum farmers are innovating every day and we stand ready to partner in making America healthier."
NSP appreciates the Commission's decision to consult extensively with producers and urges the Administration to continue ensuring farmers have a strong voice as the MAHA agenda moves forward.
* A fair and workable definition for "ultra-processed food"
* Protection of the use of food additives that enhance food safety, shelf life, and nutritional availability
* Exclusion of animal feed from reforms to the "generally recognized as safe" standard, to protect animal health
* Adoption of a risk-based approach - versus hazard-based - for determining the safety of technologies used in food production
CropLife America (CLA), the leading organization representing the U.S. pesticide industry, today released the following statement on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission's strategy focused on children's health, emphasizing the critical role of pesticides in ensuring a safe, affordable, and abundant food supply for American families.
Alexandra Dunn, president and CEO of CLA, said:
"CropLife America (CLA) appreciates this Administration and the MAHA Commission for inviting feedback and listening to America's farmers and agriculture industry -- and recognizing that pesticides are important tools that help farmers grow healthy, affordable, and abundant food for American families.
"The Commission's Strategy importantly acknowledges how EPA's transparent, science and risk-based regulatory system is key to a safe and sustainable food supply. The United States regulatory system for pesticides is recognized as the gold standard around the world, and it is critical that American farmers and consumers can continue to trust the rigorous process and oversight.
"American agriculture fuels a thriving economy -- feeding people at home and abroad -- while serving as a pillar of resilience, innovation, and global competitiveness. By controlling weeds, pests, and disease, pesticides help maintain crop yields and quality to safeguard U.S. food security.
"CLA members are proud to be part of the innovation pipeline that keeps American agriculture strong. We look forward to continuing to work with this Administration and the wide range of stakeholders, including scientists, farmers, and policymakers, to support American agriculture innovation, maintain trust in America's food supply, and improve public health for generations to come."