The Trump administration is celebrating Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) victories in his first 200 days in office — from tackling artificial dyes in the food supply to addressing the controversial topic of vaccines.
Prior to his second term, Trump promised to make MAHA a priority in his second term, and his administration has been working to fulfill that promise.
Already, with just 200 days into Trump’s second term, America has seen some drastic shifts in his arena, as Trump’s MAHA policy goals have permeated the private sector. Over the past several months, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has celebrated several companies taking the step to phase out their use of artificial dyes in the food supply.
Steak & Shake was among the first, replacing seed oils and moving to beef tallow. In-N-Out Burger, another popular fast food joint, has committed to removing Red Dye 40 and Yellow 5 as well as artificial flavors.
McCormick has committed to dropping food dyes and reformulating some of their products, and PepsiCo has also committed to removing artificial ingredients from popular food items.
Other major companies that have committed to eliminating artificial or synthetic dyes — at least in some capacity — include Kraft Heinz, General Mills, Nestlé, Conagra Brands Inc, Welch’s Fruit Snacks, Tyson Foods, Hershey, JM Smucker, and many others.
Additionally, Sam’s Club committed to removing 40 harmful ingredients from private-label products.
Others include Consumer Brands Association as well as dozens of ice cream companies. Further, President Trump announced last month that Coca-Cola had agreed to start “using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke” in the United States.
Trump’s MAGA pledge also includes numerous victories in government. For example, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins authorized waivers from six states to limit the use of food stamps for junk food purchases. Her department also held the Great American Farmers Market, showcasing and promoting American agriculture.
In May, the MAHA Commission released its “Making Our Children Healthy Again” report, focusing on the chronic health conditions children in America face, focusing on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), the overmedicalization of children, environmental chemicals, and more. It ultimately recommended ten areas of research initiatives for government agencies moving forward.
On the issue of vaccines, the Department of Health set stricter standards for coronavirus vaccine booster shots for healthy Americans who are at low-risk, and Kennedy announced that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments “because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu.”
Kennedy announced funding shifts toward broader vaccine platforms and reconstituting the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. The Trump administration also reviewed “gender affirming care” for minors, finding no conclusive evidence to support it. Liz Huston touted early MAHA successes, including removing artificial ingredients, restoring science standards, and advancing state health reforms.
