On June 17, more than 250 food and agriculture groups sent a letter to federal leaders urging them to involve farmers, ranchers, and food producers in shaping future health policies.
The letter, addressed to the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s recent report.
The coalition claims the report misrepresented American agriculture and relied on flawed or nonexistent studies, creating unnecessary fears about food safety and threatening the future of U.S. food production.
“The stakes are high,” the letter warns. “Misinformation could weaken U.S. agriculture and confuse the public about what’s safe and healthy to eat.”
The signers—including national and state-level farm bureaus, commodity groups, and industry associations—are calling for:
- Formal inclusion of food and agriculture representatives in commission activities
- Public comment periods on all future reports
- A commitment to using accurate, science-based information
Joel Penhorwood, President of the Logan County Farm Bureau, said in a statement:
“The situation is an interesting one with many farmers I’ve talked to applauding the spirit of what the MAHA movement is trying to do – who doesn’t want a healthier America? The concern is when recommendations are being made based on ideas not backed by scientific research. As a result, there’s worry about the vilification of many modern farming practices with misguided information. Farm groups are concerned not only in the potential limiting of “tools in the toolbox” for farmers, but also unfounded doubt being created for the American food supply, which continues to be some of the safest in the world.”
Although the administration has hosted some recent listening sessions, the groups argue that stronger, formal processes are needed before the next MAHA report is released in mid-August.
In Ohio, the following organizations were among the signers:
- Ohio AgriBusiness Association
- Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association
- Ohio Farm Bureau
- Ohio Pork Council
- Ohio Soybean Association
“Farmers and food producers want to help make America healthier,” the letter says. “But this process must be fair, inclusive, and based on sound science.”
See the full letter HERE.
See the MAHA Report HERE.
