The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has grown increasingly critical of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with some supporters worried he’s putting key campaign promises on the back burner.
Others remain hopeful, arguing Kennedy is playing the long game—working to implement lasting reforms without triggering political blowback or media hysteria.
Regardless of the speculation, Kennedy has been busy. He’s already taken tangible steps on major health initiatives, including updates to the SNAP program and launching comprehensive studies into childhood chronic disease.
Here’s a breakdown of the major health moves coming from the head of HHS.
1. Chemical Contaminants Tool:
On March 20, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled the Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool (CCTT). The CCTT is an online database that the public can use to search the levels of harmful chemicals allowed in food.
The tool helps people understand what levels of these substances the FDA considers when checking if food is safe.
“HHS is committed to radical transparency to give Americans authentic, informed consent about what they are eating,” said Secretary Kennedy. “This new Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool is a critical step for industry to Make America Healthy Again.”
2. FDA GRAS Rule Reform
There is currently a loophole in food safety checks which RFK Jr. wants to close. Through the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) rule companies can self-approve new ingredients as "safe" without telling the FDA.
This means a number of ingredients are being added to food without proper safety checks and research.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., want to stop companies from bypassing these safety checks and has directed the FDA to find a way to eliminate this loophole with the help of Congress.
In a statement from the HHS, Kennedy said: “Eliminating this loophole will provide transparency to consumers, help get our nation’s food supply back on track by ensuring that ingredients being introduced into foods are safe, and ultimately Make America Healthy Again.”
Here are a few ingredients that were pushed through using this loophole.
- Potassium Bromate: Used in bread to make dough stronger and help it rise. Some studies link it to tumors in animals, like kidney or thyroid cancer. Banned in the EU and Canada.
- Titanium Dioxide: A whitener in candies, sauces, and other processed foods. Research suggests it might damage DNA or cause inflammation. Banned in the EU.
- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG): Found in some supplements and fortified foods. Linked to liver, kidney, and intestinal issues in high doses, plus possible heart and brain defects.
3. Operation Stork Speed
Operation Stork Speed was launched to ensure that baby formula in the U.S. is safe, nutritious, and always available.
Over the past few years, several shocking reports have revealed that baby formula companies have been adding harmful substances to their products. One whistleblower exposed bacterial contamination in a popular formula brand, while another investigation found that nearly all baby formulas contain heavy metals—including lead and arsenic.
“The FDA will use all resources and authorities at its disposal to make sure infant formula products are safe and wholesome for the families and children who rely on them,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “Helping each family and child get off to the right start from birth is critical to our pursuit to Make America Healthy Again.”
4 .SNAP Soda Exclusion
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has proposed that the MAHA Commission consider banning candy and sugary drinks from the food stamp program (SNAP).
The USDA argues that SNAP should focus on promoting healthier food choices.
In 2023, 41.7 million Americans received SNAP benefits, costing taxpayers nearly $94 billion. On average, each recipient received about $188 per month.
“Sweetened soda water has no nutritional value,” said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling soda restrictions “the quickest and most obvious thing to do” to improve public health, according to AZ Central.
Congress is currently reviewing two bills that address changes to SNAP benefits.
5. Fluoride Review
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told press that he plans to tell the CDC to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide.
Kennedy said that recommendations set by the EPA are widely followed but not mandatory leaving it to state and local governments to decide whether to add fluoride to water. As long as the levels don't exceed the maximum (4 milligrams per litre).
According to the NIH, even levels of 1.5 milligrams (well under the max limit) have shown to significantly lower IQ in children and reduce testosterone.
The mainstream media has pushed back, repeating the same tired claim that fluoride is good for dental hygiene. While that may be true, it’s not a valid reason to keep fluoridating the water supply at levels that have already— and will continue to—cognitively impair millions of Americans.
6. School Lunch Improvements
To tackle the chronic childhood health crisis, RFK Jr. has proposed an immediate ban on ultra-processed foods like Big Daddy’s Primo Pizza from school lunches.
With obesity affecting 40% of adults and 20% of children in the U.S., school meals play a critical role in shaping kids’ diets.
Beyond promoting healthier options, Kennedy also aims to eliminate synthetic food dyes—common in brightly colored processed foods—which have been linked to hyperactivity and cancer risks.
7. HHS Restructuring w/ DOGE
In partnership with the Department of Government Efficiency the HHS is getting a massive makeover. The goal is to cut costs, reduce bureaucracy, and refocus the agency on improving public health.
The cuts include 10,000 jobs which will save the taxpayer $1.8 billion every year. Along with that, the 28 divisions of the HHS will be restructure down to 15, eliminating overlap.
“We aren't just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said. “This Department will do more – a lot more – at a lower cost to the taxpayer.”
8. MAHA Commission
President Trump signed an executive order creating the Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by RFK Jr., to fix this national health crisis.
The initial mission of the Commission shall be to advise and assist the President on how best to exercise his authority to address the childhood chronic disease crisis.
Within 100 days, the Commission will submit a report identifying what’s making kids sick and compare U.S. childhood illness rates with other countries.
Within 180 days, it will propose a full strategy to restructure how the government handles children’s health—removing harmful practices and introducing effective new ones.
The commission will look at factors like overmedication, diet, environmental toxins, screen exposure, and industry corruption.
9. Transparency Push
The U.S. accounts for 60–80% of global drug spending. Americans take more medications than any other country—yet suffer some of the worst health outcomes.
Why? For starters:
- Drug companies control the data from their clinical trials.
- Medical journals publish only summaries—not full datasets—so doctors don’t get the full picture.
- The FDA approves drugs based on this limited info, leaving both doctors and the public in the dark.
Kennedy wants to change that with a push for “radical transparency” and “gold-standard science.” He’s calling for the full release of clinical trial data—both moving forward and retroactively—including complete safety and efficacy results.
10. Study into cause of Autism
The most important on this list is RFK Jr.'s pledge to uncover the underlying causes of autism. He has promised to deliver these answers to the American people by September 2025 (in less than six months).
As part of the MAHA commission and fighting childhood chronic disease, Kennedy will whatever resources it takes to study the root causes of autism which now affects one in 36 children.
But what about the COVID vaccine?
One glaring omission from this list is the COVID vaccine, which is still being administered to millions of American children.
Doctors like Mary Bowden are calling for it to be pulled from the market immediately and removed from the Childhood Vaccine Schedule. As it stands, the CDC recommends three doses for infants before they reach nine months.
Many within the MAHA movement are devastated that no action has been taken—what some consider the greatest crime against humanity remains unaddressed.
While Kennedy is taking steps toward a healthier America, some say he’s not moving fast enough. Until he addresses concerns around the COVID vaccine, he’ll continue to face strong pushback from within his own base.
