New joint initiative aims to tackle chronic diseases, ultra-processed foods, and food additive concerns, amid significant restructuring and staffing changes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have announced a bold, collaborative research initiative to confront the growing burden of diet-related chronic disease in the United States. The new Nutrition Regulatory Science Programme will serve as a core element of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) strategy.
This announcement marks a coordinated response to the increasing incidence of preventable chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity—conditions that disproportionately affect underserved and marginalised populations.
What’s New: Joint Nutrition Research Agenda
As of 9 May 2025, the FDA and NIH have confirmed their partnership on a comprehensive nutrition research agenda. The initiative is designed to provide the scientific foundation needed to inform policy decisions and guide improvements to the American diet.
Key questions this agenda will address include:
- How and why do ultra-processed foods negatively affect health?
- In what ways might specific food additives impact metabolic health and contribute to disease?
- What is the influence of maternal and infant diet on lifelong health outcomes, including autoimmune disorders?
The programme will draw on expertise from a wide range of scientific disciplines—such as nutrition, toxicology, risk analysis, behavioural science, and chemistry—mirroring the proven model of the FDA-NIH Tobacco Regulatory Science Programme. NIH will manage research operations while the FDA applies its regulatory science capabilities.
Both agencies are committed to ensuring that research conducted under the programme is independent, scientifically rigorous, and free from conflicts of interest.
Challenges: Budget Cuts and Key Resignation
The programme launch follows major institutional disruption. Dr Kevin Hall, a leading NIH researcher in ultra-processed foods, resigned last month, citing constraints on scientific freedom. Hall was conducting critical, pioneering work in this field before his departure.
In addition, HHS has recently undergone extensive restructuring. In March, 3,500 FDA jobs and 1,200 NIH positions were cut. Just two weeks ago, 250 NIH employees were laid off. The NIH has seen nearly $2 billion in research funding eliminated since January, while President Trump’s proposed budget includes a further $18 billion in cuts, despite allocating $500 million to MAHA initiatives.
HHS has not provided clarity on whether a replacement for Dr Hall will be hired, how many staff will support the Nutrition Regulatory Science Programme, or whether existing staff will be reassigned from other areas.
FDA Nutrition Strategy and Public Health Objectives
The FDA’s work in nutrition goes beyond research. It aims to empower consumers to adopt healthy eating habits and reduce the national burden of chronic disease. This is achieved through three core strategic areas:
1. Providing Information and Labelling
The FDA requires food manufacturers to make nutritional information accessible, enabling informed consumer choices. Labelling initiatives include:
- Nutrition Facts Label
- Menu and vending machine calorie labelling
- Front-of-package labelling
- Definition of “healthy” for nutrient content claims
- Allergen disclosure
- Clear labelling of plant-based and animal food alternatives
2. Promoting a Healthier Food Supply
By encouraging innovation and reformulation in the food industry, the FDA supports efforts to make food healthier. Key initiatives include:
- Voluntary sodium reduction targets
- Focus on reducing added sugars and trans fats
- Food reformulation through clearer labelling policies
3. Communicating, Educating, and Engaging
The FDA works closely with stakeholders—ranging from educators to health professionals—to promote understanding and practical use of nutrition information. Educational efforts include:
- Nutrition education resources
- Guidance on healthy eating and fish consumption
- Updates on food safety and medical foods
- Ongoing dialogue with consumers and professionals
Addressing Health Inequities
The FDA explicitly recognises that poor nutrition and chronic diseases disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, individuals with low incomes, and rural populations. The agency collaborates with other federal partners, including USDA and HHS, on initiatives such as:
- The Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- National School Lunch and Breakfast Programmes
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Programme for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- MyPlate public awareness campaigns
This integrated, government-wide approach aims to reduce health disparities and support lifelong healthy eating habits for all Americans.
Looking Ahead
The launch of the Nutrition Regulatory Science Programme signals an ambitious pivot toward evidence-based nutrition policy. However, its success depends on adequate resourcing, strong scientific leadership, and political support.
Amidst budget cuts and institutional shifts, it remains to be seen whether the FDA and NIH can deliver on the promise of a healthier food system. Nonetheless, this initiative lays an important foundation for transforming food research, improving public health outcomes, and advancing health equity across the United States.
Read more
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/fda-nih-announce-innovative-joint-nutrition-regulatory-science-program#:~:text=Under%20the%20new%20Nutrition%20Regulatory,Americans’%20food%20and%20diets%20healthier.
- https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/fdas-nutrition-initiatives
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-and-nih-announce-innovative-joint-nutrition-regulatory-science-program
