RFK Jr.’s criticism of pesticides receives pushback from Trump officials

A report led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is receiving pushback from government and agency officials for labeling pesticides in the food supply as the root cause of Americans’ health issues, according to the Wall Street Journal.

RFK Jr.’s report is part of his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement and is set for a May 22 release. It will examine links between chronic disease in US children and factors like pesticides, processed foods, lack of exercise and screen time.

People familiar with the report say it singles out glyphosate (used in weedkiller Roundup) and herbicide atrazine as dangerous. These are widely applied to US crops annually.

Over 90% of America’s soy, corn and cotton are genetically modified to resist glyphosate, says the Agriculture Department.

Agencies like the EPA and USDA worry that the report could disrupt the food supply chain, and farm groups warn that it may ignore established safety research.