Promises made. Promises kept.
That’s exactly what Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has done after promising the American public that he would roll out a sweeping “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative while campaigning alongside President Donald Trump last November.
Shortly after taking the healm of the HHS, President Trump and RFK, Jr. created the MAHA Commission, which aimed to focus on addressing the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis, especially childhood chronic disease.
And after 100 days of MAHA, RFK, Jr. and his team has worked through red tape to roll out real, actionable initiatives that are already making an impact on the lives of all Americans.
Here’s a snapshot of everything RFK, Jr. and MAHA has already accomplished — and what he has planned next.
Perhaps RFK, Jr’s biggest win is the battle he’s already winning against “Big Food.”
This month MAHA announced that the country will be phasing out a number of artificial food dyes and colorings by the end of 2026.
Specifically, HHS is banning petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Red 3 and 40, Blue 1 and 2, Yellow 5 and 6, and Green 3. Such dyes are common in cereals, candy, baked goods, soft drinks, and other junk foods commonly consumed by children.
HHS will also be partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on how these dyes impact children’s health and development.
RFK, Jr. also directed the FDA to revise a rule that allows companies to “self-affirm” the safety of food ingredients. Under the revision, manufacturers will have to publicly submit safety data for new ingredients.
HHS says such enhanced oversight will “bring transparency to American consumers.”
Under RFK, Jr’s leadership, HHS has kickstarted an effort to stop the abuse of food stamps.
Several states are moving to limit food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits, to healthier options. The limits often exclude sugary drinks like soda, candy, and some other highly processed foods.
RFK, Jr has urged governors to submit waivers to the Department of Agriculture to effectuate such limits on SNAP.
On April 16, Arkansas was the first state in the nation to submit such a request.
States like West Virginia, Utah, Idaho, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, and Indiana are exploring SNAP restrictions, too.
In addition to removing harmful additives to the food America’s children eat, MAHA has also been at the forefront of helping mothers and babies.
The FDA announced in March that it is tightening its standards on infant formula and reevaluating current products on the market.
The move followed a Consumer Reports investigation, which found that about half of the 41 formulas it tested contained potentially harmful levels of arsenic, lead, BPA, acrylamide, or PFAS, according to News Nation.
The FDA, for example, will increase testing for heavy metals and other contaminants in infant formula and encourage companies to work with the FDA to increase transparency and clearer labeling.
Perhaps MAHA’s most watershed effort has been its work on better understanding the cause of autism.
This month RFK, Jr confirmed that he’s commissioning a series of studies on suspected links to high autism rates, including mold, pesticides, food chemicals, and, notably, medication.
NIH, which falls under HHS, is investing $50 million in research for causes and improving treatments for autism, according to USA Today.
RFK, Jr told President Trump that HHS will know what is causing the autism epidemic by September.
Kennedy also revealed new CDC data that found 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with the disorder, which is nearly 5 times higher than when the CDC started these surveys back in 1992, according to some estimates.
As for what’s next?
RFK, Jr himself has signaled that he’s eyeing the pharmaceutical industry next.
Kennedy has voiced concerns about how we overmedicate, especially young Americans.
There have also been reports that RFK, Jr is aiming to curb or ban prescription drug ad