Agreeing, and disagreeing, with goals of recently formed MAHA Commission 

By Carson Fort, ASA Government Affairs Manager 

The Make America Healthy Again Commission has a goal that most Americans can support – reducing chronic disease in the United States. Created by executive order, the Commission is chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and includes several agency officials as members, including the Secretary of Agriculture and EPA Administrator. 

Improving public health is a worthy mission that farmers are uniquely positioned to support by providing safe, nutritious food. 

Unfortunately, MAHA’s agenda has been influenced by radical environmental groups and online influencers promoting misinformation about seed oils. These voices pose a threat to modern agriculture and public health by casting unfounded doubt on healthy, nutritious, affordable food sources and undermining confidence in scientifically supported practices. 

MAHA gained traction after President Trump received a campaign endorsement from then-candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services. Secretary Kennedy has long opposed key elements of conventional agriculture, particularly GMOs and pesticide use. As MAHA became aligned with the president’s platform, seed oils were suddenly placed under scrutiny. 

The consequences have been swift and concerning. Some restaurant chains have stopped using seed oils, and online influencers are amplifying pseudoscience. As a result, consumers are questioning the safety of products like soybean oil – despite strong scientific evidence of their health benefits. 

Soybean oil is one of the most widely consumed oils in the United States, and its nutritional value is supported by an extensive body of research. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a qualified health claim stating that soybean oil may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. This claim is based on more than 160 studies, including clinical trials, observational research, reviews and meta-analyses. 

While scientific debate is healthy and necessary, the overwhelming consensus from researchers and public health agencies is that soybean oil is safe and beneficial when used in moderation. 

This consensus isn’t limited to the United States. Many European countries encourage the consumption of unsaturated fats over saturated fats, and some specifically recommend soybean oil as a healthy alternative to animal fats. 

Soy and soy-based products have also been consumed throughout East Asia for millennia, offering a long-term case study in their safety and benefits. Populations in these countries not only maintain diets rich in soy but also tend to experience lower rates of chronic diseases, adding further weight to the health potential of soy. 

Unsupported viewpoints 

Still, MAHA has elevated unsupported viewpoints that claim seed oils cause inflammation. Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fat in seed oils, has been mistakenly blamed for inflammation. 

However, research has shown this claim to be misguided. The inflammatory compound of concern is arachidonic acid, which is found in animal products—not in seed oils. Furthermore, some critics attempt to link seed oils to obesity, another chronic disease. 

But obesity arises from a combination of dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and genetics. There is no conclusive evidence that seed oils, or linoleic acid in particular, cause or increase the risk of obesity. 

MAHA has also turned its attention to how crops like soybeans are grown, targeting pesticide use. This is deeply problematic. Pesticides are essential to ensuring a reliable, safe and affordable food supply. They are used in both conventional and organic agriculture and are crucial for managing pests, conserving resources and maintaining productivity. 

The United States has one of the most rigorous regulatory systems in the world for pesticide use and residue levels. Under the Food Quality Protection Act, safety limits are set 10 to 100 times lower than levels already deemed safe. 

If MAHA continues down this path – targeting seed oils and disparaging pesticide use – the consequences for agriculture and public health could be severe. Soybean oil for human consumption alone accounts for 43 percent of the domestic soy oil market. 

A recent economic study commissioned by the United Soybean Board found that removing seed oils would significantly drive up food prices, reduce availability and increase dependence on imported alternatives. It would also hurt farm income and disrupt supply chains. 

A reduction in pesticide use would lead to increased crop losses from insects, fungi and weeds, shrinking the food supply and increasing consumer costs. 

Farmers, MAHA should be allies 

Farmers and the MAHA Commission should be allies in improving America’s health. But the propagation of misinformation threatens that shared mission. 

When influential voices within the MAHA community promote unsubstantiated theories and ignore the weight of scientific evidence, they mislead the public and policymakers alike. Several states are already considering laws that would radically reshape the food system – based not on sound science, but on fear and misinformation. 

The formation of the MAHA Commission was an opportunity to bring together agriculture and health leaders to address the nation’s chronic disease crisis. That opportunity still exists. 

But it requires a shift in focus away from fringe claims and toward evidence-based collaboration. If MAHA is truly committed to improving public health, it must engage with farmers, support science-backed practices, and resist the pull of sensationalism. 

In short, the path to a healthier America runs through sound science and responsible farming. It’s time for MAHA to recognize that and act accordingly.