Latest news with #healthinitiative
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr will not target ultra-processed foods or pesticides in latest MAHA efforts, report says
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr will not target ultra-processed foods or pesticides as part of his 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, according to the draft of a new government report. The document, first seen by The New York Times and dated August 6, is described as 'pre-decisional' and addresses ultra-processed foods only in calling on the departments of HHS and Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to agree on a government-wide definition for the term. It does not outline any plans to restrict their sale, despite low-nutrition junk foods accounting for 62 percent of the calories consumed by American children, according to the Times. The draft reportedly also calls for 'more targeted and precise pesticide applications' and for research programs examining decreasing pesticide volumes but again stops short of restricting their use. That would appear to represent a win for Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins, who said earlier this month: 'There is no chance that our current system of agriculture can survive without those crop protection tools.' Elsewhere, the document reportedly calls for research into areas such as the impact of electromagnetic radiation, children's oral health, the role of the microbiome as well as the effects of exposure to poor air quality and microplastics. The report also recommends government action on increasing breastfeeding rates, infertility, encouraging physical activity, and educating the public on the dangers of vaping. However, the validity of the draft was dismissed by White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai, who said in a statement: 'Unless officially released by the administration, any document purporting to be the MAHA report should be dismissed as speculative literature.' Kennedy's officials previously released a report in May detailing the factors that they believed were having a malign effect on the health of U.S. children, notably attacking chemical food additives that, its authors alleged, are tied to cancer and developmental disorders. Their publication was criticized as 'sloppy' and 'shoddy' by experts, however, who accused them of using AI to compile it after it was found to include citations from non-existent academic sources. Kennedy has long spoken out against processed foods. At his Senate confirmation hearings in January, he declared: 'Something is poisoning the American people, and we know that the primary culprits are changing food supply, a switch to highly chemical-intensive processed foods.' During the same hearings, he stressed the importance of making the public aware of the impact of unhealthy eating, but added, 'I don't want to take food away from anybody. If you like... a McDonald's cheeseburger, Diet Coke, which my boss loves, you should be able to get them. 'If you want to eat Hostess Twinkies, you should be able to do that, but you should know what the impacts are on your family and on your health.' President Donald Trump is indeed well-known for his passion for fast food, famously serving a mountain of burgers to elite athletes at the White House during his first term and pulling a shift at a Pennsylvania branch of the Golden Arches as a campaign stunt late last year. Kennedy previously criticized Trump's diet, telling The Joe Polish Show last November: 'The stuff that he eats is really bad. 'Campaign food is always bad, but the food that goes onto that airplane is, like, just poison. You have a choice between – you don't have the choice, you're either given KFC or Big Macs. That's when you're lucky and then the rest of the stuff I consider kind of inedible.' Soon afterwards, Kennedy was pictured eating McDonald's on board Trump's plane in the company of the president, Donald Trump Jr, Elon Musk, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. He told Fox News host Sean Hannity in March he believed Trump had lost 30 pounds despite his questionable intake, attributing the miracle to the president's 'genetic system,' which Hannity agreed was 'second to none.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
RFK Jr will not target ultra-processed foods or pesticides in latest MAHA efforts, report says
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr will not target ultra-processed foods or pesticides as part of his 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, according to the draft of a new government report. The document, first seen by The New York Times and dated August 6, is described as 'pre-decisional' and addresses ultra-processed foods only in calling on the departments of HHS and Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to agree on a government-wide definition for the term. It does not outline any plans to restrict their sale, despite low-nutrition junk foods accounting for 62 percent of the calories consumed by American children, according to the Times. The draft reportedly also calls for 'more targeted and precise pesticide applications' and for research programs examining decreasing pesticide volumes but again stops short of restricting their use. That would appear to represent a win for Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins, who said earlier this month: 'There is no chance that our current system of agriculture can survive without those crop protection tools.' Elsewhere, the document reportedly calls for research into areas such as the impact of electromagnetic radiation, children's oral health, the role of the microbiome as well as the effects of exposure to poor air quality and microplastics. The report also recommends government action on increasing breastfeeding rates, infertility, encouraging physical activity, and educating the public on the dangers of vaping. However, the validity of the draft was dismissed by White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai, who said in a statement: 'Unless officially released by the administration, any document purporting to be the MAHA report should be dismissed as speculative literature.' Kennedy's officials previously released a report in May detailing the factors that they believed were having a malign effect on the health of U.S. children, notably attacking chemical food additives that, its authors alleged, are tied to cancer and developmental disorders. Their publication was criticized as 'sloppy' and 'shoddy' by experts, however, who accused them of using AI to compile it after it was found to include citations from non-existent academic sources. Kennedy has long spoken out against processed foods. At his Senate confirmation hearings in January, he declared: 'Something is poisoning the American people, and we know that the primary culprits are changing food supply, a switch to highly chemical-intensive processed foods.' During the same hearings, he stressed the importance of making the public aware of the impact of unhealthy eating, but added, 'I don't want to take food away from anybody. If you like... a McDonald's cheeseburger, Diet Coke, which my boss loves, you should be able to get them. 'If you want to eat Hostess Twinkies, you should be able to do that, but you should know what the impacts are on your family and on your health.' President Donald Trump is indeed well-known for his passion for fast food, famously serving a mountain of burgers to elite athletes at the White House during his first term and pulling a shift at a Pennsylvania branch of the Golden Arches as a campaign stunt late last year. Kennedy previously criticized Trump's diet, telling The Joe Polish Show last November: 'The stuff that he eats is really bad. 'Campaign food is always bad, but the food that goes onto that airplane is, like, just poison. You have a choice between – you don't have the choice, you're either given KFC or Big Macs. That's when you're lucky and then the rest of the stuff I consider kind of inedible.' Soon afterwards, Kennedy was pictured eating McDonald's on board Trump's plane in the company of the president, Donald Trump Jr, Elon Musk, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. lost 30 pounds despite his questionable intake, attributing the miracle to the president's 'genetic system,' which Hannity agreed was 'second to none.'
Zawya
6 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Ethiopia launches groundbreaking UN initiative to prevent child wasting
The Federal Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and World Food Programme (WFP), officially launched the Joint UN Initiative for the Prevention of Wasting (JUNIPr) in Ethiopia. The initiative aims to accelerate national efforts to prevent child wasting—a severe and life-threatening form of malnutrition that affects more than 11% of Ethiopian children under five. The four-day Co-Creation Workshop, taking place in Adama Town from 17–20 July 2025, marks the first step in a five-year multisectoral initiative to design, test, and scale evidence-based interventions to prevent wasting in children aged 0 to 18 months. JUNIPr is supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is being piloted in Ethiopia, Mali, and Bangladesh. JUNIPr builds on the Global Action Plan on Child Wasting and the newly released 2023 WHO Guidelines, focusing on: Evidence generation through robust research led by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Development of locally tailored intervention packages grounded in the realities of Ethiopian communities. Systems strengthening across health, food, water/sanitation (WASH), social protection and other sectors. Policy influence at national and global levels to ensure that wasting prevention becomes a public health priority. UNICEF and WFP representatives also emphasised the importance of coordinated multisectoral efforts to prevent malnutrition. Over 40 participants are attending the workshop, including representatives from regional health bureaus, multiple line ministries, academic institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and technical experts across key sectors. The workshop includes in-depth discussions, problem analysis, policy mapping, and breakout sessions to begin shaping a comprehensive prevention package. The next stage will include in-depth context analysis, data review, and a second national workshop in early 2026 to finalize the intervention package. Ethiopia's experience will serve as a model for other countries seeking to address wasting through a systems-based, collaborative approach. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Ethiopia.
Arabian Business
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Arabian Business
Dubai Mallathon begins today across 9 shopping malls
Dubai will transform nine shopping centres into climate-controlled fitness venues from Friday as part of the Dubai Mallathon, a citywide health initiative under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The initiative operates across Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai Marina Mall, The Springs Souk, Dubai Festival City, and Festival Plaza during August. Each location features indoor tracks totalling more than 10 kilometres. Under the patronage of Hamdan bin Mohammed, Dubai Mallathon, a major citywide fitness initiative, is set to kick off tomorrow (Friday) across leading shopping malls in Dubai, transforming indoor spaces into comfortable, air-conditioned walking and running tracks.… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 31, 2025 Walk and win at Dubai Mallathon The facilities operate from 7 AM to 10 AM throughout August, providing residents and visitors with air-conditioned walking and running environments during the summer months. The programme aligns with the Year of Community campaign, Dubai Social Agenda 33, and Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 33. Weekend events include sports challenges and community competitions for all ages. Organisers will distribute more than 40 iPhones, 10 tablets, shopping vouchers, gift cards, and other prizes during weekend events to encourage participation and community engagement. 'We adopt a holistic approach to building a cohesive, resilient society, recognising physical activity as vital to individual and collective well-being. Our participation in this initiative reflects our leadership's vision to embed sport as a cornerstone of daily life and community identity,' the Ministry of Defence said, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office. Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, said: 'This initiative reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to promote the health and wellness of our community. It reinforces the importance of making physical activity a daily habit and underscores Dubai's position as a leading global destination for sport. Whether in world-class indoor and outdoor venues or modern, globally recognised shopping malls, Dubai provides the ideal environment for active living.' He added: 'The Mallathon brings dedicated tracks to some of Dubai's most iconic malls, encouraging participants to embrace a fit lifestyle in a fun, accessible setting. From valuable prizes to dedicated activities for senior citizens, this initiative reflects our leadership's commitment to ensuring that every member of society enjoys a high quality of life and stays actively engaged.' The initiative targets youth, children, senior citizens, mall staff, and members of the 'MyDubai Communities' initiative. The Ministry of Defence sponsors the event whilst the Dubai Sports Council organises it alongside public and private partners. Mai Dubai, the UAE Sports For All Federation, Al Tadawi Speciality Hospital, and the Dubai Cooperative Society provide wellness services. Uber and Careem offer discounts for attendees travelling during event hours. Participants receive free health check-ups, nutritional consultations, and access to healthy food options from participating restaurants and retail outlets. The Community Development Authority (CDA) hosts a parallel initiative called 'Walking for Better Health' in collaboration with participating malls. This programme encourages senior citizens and residents to remain physically active in secure, tailored environments whilst affirming the role senior citizens play within the community. Participation remains free and open to all. Individuals can register via the website and receive a digital participation card upon registration.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump says Coca-Cola agrees to use cane sugar in US sodas, like Mexican Coke
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday afternoon, July 16 that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar for its soda beverages sold in the U.S. "I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I'd like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You'll see. It's just better! A spokesperson for the company told USA TODAY the Atlanta-based company will share details on new offerings soon, and that it appreciates Trump's enthusiasm for its product. Coca-Cola uses high fructose corn syrup to sweeten its U.S. products while cane sugar is used in other countries, like Mexican Coke. The president's announced switch comes as Trump's continues to support Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to move away from certain food ingredients, like artificial dyes. Through the Make America Healthy Again initiative, the Trump Administration aims to stop food industry from contributing to chronic health problems that Americans face from obesity to heart disease. In-N-Out: No, the chain didn't switch to '100% beef tallow,' contrary to White House claim A May report by the Trump-convened MAHA Commission, tasked with identifying the root causes of chronic disease, said substantial consumption of high-fructose corn syrup could play a role in childhood obesity and other conditions. While medical experts recommend limiting added sugar in diets, they have not identified significant differences between cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. Corn producers concentrated in the U.S. Midwest have long wielded considerable influence over lawmakers in Washington. The president's home state of Florida is the nation's top sugarcane producer. "Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn't make sense," said Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode. "Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.' (This story has been updated to add new information.) Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says Coca-Cola agrees to use cane sugar in US sodas
