MAHA muscle: The rise of the mom-driven movement shaking up Washington
Kelly Ryerson never intended to become a food and health activist. The northern California married mom spent several years working in finance jobs before directing her focus to raising her two children. That changed in 2011, when debilitating bouts of odd illnesses sent her searching for answers.
Ultra-processed diets drive obesity and climate change — but solutions are within reach
Diets around the world dependent on ultra-processed foods and animal-based agriculture are driving obesity rates and climate change, but solutions exist that would bolster health, and save money and the planet, according to a new review.
As Trump promotes coal, no respite for communities choking on the industry’s dust
David Jones Jr. is no stranger to treacherous work. For years, the 45-year-old South Baltimore resident made his living scaling tall buildings to install signs. But for Jones, the real danger has been in and around his home: Jones and his wife live a few hundred feet away from a large coal terminal where dust from mountainous, uncovered coal piles has blown over the community day after day for decades.
USDA spotlights dairy sanctioned for animal welfare violations in its “regenerative” push
When USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a regenerative farming pilot program this week, she highlighted one farmer in particular. What Rollins didn’t note, however, was that the Alexandre Family Farm was recently under investigation for a long list of alleged animal welfare violations.
EPA adds another industry insider as the administration’s lobbyist ranks grow
The nation’s main office for protecting Americans from harmful chemicals is welcoming its fourth prominent industry insider since President Trump took office, adding to an administration full of former lobbyists and corporate executives who are making environmental policy.
Health advocates call for policymakers to tackle ultra-processed foods “crisis” at DC summit
Health advocates and policymakers from both sides of the political aisle called for the federal government to prioritize the public health crisis they warn has resulted from the pervasive ultra-processed foods at Americans’ fingertips at a summit in Washington, DC on Wednesday.
Toxic chemicals in food cost the world $3 trillion a year, new report finds
Four groups of chemicals in the global food system cost the world nearly $3 trillion a year by causing disease, decreasing fertility and polluting water and soil, according to a new report.
With MAHA in mind, USDA allots $700 million for regenerative farming pilot program
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is earmarking $700 million to aid farmers wanting to pursue” regenerative” practices, which typically include a reduction in chemical inputs, government officials said on Wednesday.
Postcard from California: The ‘literal dumpster fire’ burning under an LA suburb
In a canyon 40 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, a fire is smoldering. Unlike the forest fires that erupt every year in Southern California, this fire is 30 feet underground. It’s been spewing toxic gases for three years, with no end in sight.
EPA dismisses new cancer warning on atrazine, echoing Syngenta criticisms
US regulators are dismissing new research by international cancer experts that warns of links between cancer and the widely used pesticide atrazine, deriding the team of cancer scientists and echoing atrazine maker Syngenta in its criticism.