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The Trump administration targeted “Big Food,” Bayer, Facebook and other companies in its first report on child health that denounces poor diet, chemicals and social media for the US chronic disease outbreak.
In a 68-page report released Thursday, the White House “Make America Healthy” committee cited potential food, medical and environmental factors that could lead to developmental problems in children.
The report comes from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February and reflects long-standing concerns from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., ranging from contaminants and ultra-treated foods to lack of sugar-like drinks and outdoor playtime.
“By examining the root causes of child health degradation, this assessment establishes a clear, evidence-based foundation for policy interventions, institutional reforms, and social change needed to reverse courses,” the report states.
Companies mentioned in the report include German commanders Bayer, BASF, Syngenta and Corteva, manufacturers of the herbicide glyphosate. The report raised questions about how scientific research into the health effects of chemicals is influenced by corporate-funded research.
“The limited comparison of industry-funded and non-industrial research raised concerns about the potential bias of industry-funded research,” the report states.
Publication bias could lead to positive findings in published studies, the report said. “This bias amplifies potential contradictions in the literature and limits the scientific publication of adverse outcomes.”
Bayer faces billions of dollars in lawsuits over glyphosate. In March, the company lost a ju trial in the US in Georgia and awarded the plaintiff $2.1 billion. The company has repeatedly cited studies showing that glyphosate is safe. And in 2023, glyphosate was repainted in the EU until 2033.
The report also touches on the health effects of social media on children. The report cited an article on Facebook’s internal research findings highlighting body image issues and mental health status.
“The widespread impact of key technology companies on the digital environment of children has prompted significant scrutiny, particularly regarding the erosion of child protection frameworks and parental surveillance and the integrity of corporate practices,” the report states.
Additionally, the report cited Kraft and raised concerns about the “big-manager” company and ultra-processed food.
“A small number of companies manage the majority of food production,” the report said.
