President Trump Delivers on MAHA Push

7/14/2025

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Action Summary

Food Safety Initiative: President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise by addressing the chronic health crisis through the removal of harmful chemicals from the U.S. food supply.
Ice Cream Industry Commitment: Over 90% of the U.S. ice cream market, represented by dozens of major companies, has pledged to eliminate certified artificial colors from ice cream and frozen dairy products.
Broader Corporate Reforms: A range of companies have announced measures to improve their food products, including:
- Steak & Shake: Switching to natural beef tallow and Grade A Wisconsin butter.
- McCormick: Dropping certain food dyes.
- PepsiCo: Removing artificial ingredients from popular snack lines.
- In-N-Out: Eliminating synthetic dyes and artificial flavors.
- Tyson Foods, Mars, Sam’s Club, Kraft-Heinz, General Mills, Nestlé, Conagra Foods, JM Smucker, Hershey, and Consumer Brands: Each taking specific actions to remove synthetic colors, harmful additives, and other undesirable ingredients from their products.
Industry Impact: These actions indicate a significant shift towards natural and safe food ingredient practices, reflecting a broader market trend aimed at improving health outcomes for consumers.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s focus on removing harmful chemicals from the food supply could lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of food products, impacting companies that supply food to educational institutions, including Vanderbilt University.
There is a potential risk of increased costs for food suppliers as they reformulate products to comply with new standards, which could be passed on to institutions like Vanderbilt in the form of higher prices for food services.
The emphasis on natural ingredients may require Vanderbilt’s dining services to reassess their food procurement strategies to ensure compliance with new regulations and consumer expectations.
Vanderbilt may need to consider the impact of these changes on its partnerships with food suppliers and adjust contracts to align with the new standards.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt Dining Services may need to evaluate and potentially alter their food sourcing and menu offerings to ensure they meet the new standards for natural ingredients and the removal of artificial additives.
The School of Medicine could see increased opportunities for research into the health impacts of artificial additives and the benefits of natural ingredients, potentially leading to new collaborations and funding opportunities.
Vanderbilt’s Nutrition and Dietetics Program may experience increased demand for expertise in food safety and nutrition, providing opportunities for curriculum development and community engagement.

Financial Impact

The potential increase in food costs due to reformulation by suppliers could impact Vanderbilt’s budget for dining services, necessitating adjustments in financial planning and resource allocation.
There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research into the health effects of artificial additives and the benefits of natural ingredients, particularly from federal agencies and private grants focused on public health and nutrition.
Vanderbilt’s partnerships with food suppliers may need to be renegotiated to reflect the new standards, potentially affecting contract terms and pricing structures.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential financial impacts on food services and partnerships.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Nutrition and Food Science Department should consider conducting research on the health impacts of removing artificial colors and ingredients from food products. This research could provide valuable insights into the benefits of these changes and position Vanderbilt as a leader in food safety and public health.
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) could explore partnerships with food companies to study the long-term health effects of consuming products free from artificial ingredients. This collaboration could lead to new research opportunities and enhance VUMC’s reputation in preventive health care.
Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine should integrate the latest findings on artificial ingredients and health into its curriculum. Educating future healthcare professionals on these topics will ensure they are well-prepared to advise patients on nutrition and health.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies could analyze the economic and regulatory impacts of these industry changes. By providing policy recommendations, the institute can influence future regulations and support public health initiatives.
Vanderbilt’s Marketing and Communications Department should highlight the university’s involvement in research and policy analysis related to food safety. This can enhance Vanderbilt’s public image and attract prospective students interested in health and nutrition.

Opportunities

The initiative to remove artificial ingredients presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Health Policy to engage in policy advocacy. By collaborating with industry leaders and policymakers, the center can help shape future food safety regulations.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the growing consumer demand for natural products by developing educational programs and workshops focused on nutrition and healthy eating. These programs can attract community members and enhance Vanderbilt’s role in promoting public health.
The emphasis on removing artificial ingredients aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to sustainability and health. The university can develop partnerships with food companies to promote sustainable practices and research the environmental impacts of these changes.
By hosting conferences and public forums on the implications of removing artificial ingredients, Vanderbilt can position itself as a thought leader in the national conversation on food safety and public health.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with the changes in food safety and public health initiatives.)

Average Relevance Score: 2

Timeline for Implementation

PepsiCo: Remove artificial ingredients from popular food items, including Lay’s and Tostitos chips, by the end of 2025.

Based on the publication date of July 14, 2025, the directive from PepsiCo provides a compliance window of approximately 150–170 days, making it the shortest timeline among the directives mentioned.

Relevance Score: 2

Impacted Government Organizations

N/A: The text describes voluntary measures by private companies to remove harmful chemicals from their products, and there is no directive or mention of any government agency being impacted.

Relevance Score: 1 (The announcement does not affect government agencies, resulting in a minimal score.)

Responsible Officials

N/A – The text outlines voluntary actions by private companies to remove harmful chemicals from their products but does not mention any specific government official or agency responsible for enforcing these directives.

Relevance Score: 1 (Directives affect private companies with no specified government agency or official responsible for implementation.)