Helena Bottemiller Evich
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hbottemiller.bsky.social
Helena Bottemiller Evich
@hbottemiller.bsky.social
I write a must-read newsletter on all things food policy - for consumers and insiders alike. Get on the list: foodfix.co
Does anyone know if there any political scientists digging into the Make America Healthy Again movement? (RIP academic Twitter I’m sure I would have already found them!)
June 16, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Here at FDA today for an expert panel on infant formula w/FDA commissioner Marty Makary. Having flashbacks to reporting on the infant formula crisis, which is still one of the most traumatic things I've ever covered.

Glad to see formula getting attention again- important topic that's often ignored
June 4, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Helena Bottemiller Evich
🥗 I'm not the only one in my profanity era. @hbottemiller.bsky.social said, and I quote, "Centering school meals on whole, local foods would require a fuck ton more money."
🥗 @hbottemiller.bsky.social reported that Sec. Kennedy claimed that school meals are "poisoning our kids". USDA Sec. Rollins replied "Well said, well said."
@foodfixco.bsky.social today reported on RFK Jr's promised assault on--er, reform of--school meals. He pledged "major, dramatic" changes to school meals this coming school year.

foodfix.co/rfk-jr-says-...
May 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Helena Bottemiller Evich
After a very busy week, the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (#MAHA) agenda starts to take shape in DC.

foodfix.co/washington-e...
Washington enters its MAHA era — and everyone is struggling to keep up
After a very busy week, the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda starts to take shape in DC.
foodfix.co
March 14, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Scoop: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told food industry CEOs Monday that he wants synthetic food dyes out of the food supply before he leaves office.

The full readout in @foodfixco.bsky.social:

foodfix.co/robert-f-ken...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAHA message to food sector CEOs
A readout of RFK Jr.’s Monday meeting with food industry CEOs. The meeting comes as the food industry faces increasing pressure from many directions and the Trump administration signals GRAS reform is...
foodfix.co
March 11, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The Trump administration fired and subsequently rehired the person in charge of infant formula safety at FDA, per sources familiar — the latest example of a disruptive government layoff that had to be walked back.

foodfix.co/the-trump-ad...
The Trump administration fired — then rehired — FDA’s lead on infant formula safety
Another DOGE layoff bites the dust. Plus, some staff working on food chemical oversight have also been called back after being fired.
foodfix.co
February 28, 2025 at 5:55 PM
FDA’s work to beef up oversight of food chemicals -- a key MAHA priority -- was disproportionately affected by a rash of firings at the agency last weekend, according to several sources. 🧵
February 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Scoop: Jim Jones has resigned as FDA deputy commissioner for human foods.

The move comes after the Trump administration over the weekend fired thousands of employees across HHS, including many within FDA’s foods program.

foodfix.co/jim-jones-re...
Jim Jones resigns as FDA deputy commissioner for human foods
The resignation comes after a tumultuous weekend of layoffs at FDA and across HHS more broadly.
foodfix.co
February 17, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I'm digging more into DOGE and food/ag policy today (so USDA/FDA/NIH) and also the lingering consequences of the grants/spending freeze.

If you're impacted by any of this, get in touch: [email protected]. I'm also on signal. DM me!
February 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moderates his statements on vaccines but doubles down on the MAHA food agenda... this new poll from @apnews.com caught my eye: Shows a crackdown on processed foods is broadly popular across all political lines 👀
January 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
After the confirmation hearing, I asked Brooke Rollins (Trump's USDA pick) about the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.

"I certainly support the concept. America, as we discussed in this hearing, is becoming unhealthier and unhealthier..." 1/3
January 23, 2025 at 9:10 PM
PSA for parents of littles today: After your kids freeze their buns off playing in the snow, @ngadc.bsky.social has a handy painting app 🎨

www.nga.gov/games/paint-...
Paint ’n’ Play | Art Game for Kids | National Gallery of Art
Create like a great with our painting art game for kids. Choose your brushes and colors inspired by Van Gogh, Alma Thomas and other great artists.
www.nga.gov
January 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Trying really hard to think of an American institution that's doing well right now. Trusted by public. Functional and well-funded. I know the military generally ranks high in public trust. Is that all we've got?
December 20, 2024 at 4:43 PM
The FDA today updated what can be labeled as "healthy" - a long-awaited move that's expected to have a minimal impact on public health.

FDA estimates the benefit of this policy change is roughly $686 million over 20 years.

Diet-related diseases cost hundreds of billions/year.
December 19, 2024 at 6:51 PM
I keep using the word disorienting. For anyone who's been in food policy for a decade or more... we very much remember when Republicans LOST IT over Michelle Obama's push to make school meals healthier.

The political realignment here is BIG.
What a bizarre world this is...

(courtesy of @hbottemiller.bsky.social / @foodfixco.bsky.social)
December 7, 2024 at 4:59 PM
Wow: FDA commish Robert Califf just endorsed limiting SNAP to healthy foods. (SNAP under USDA but still 👀)

"It would be one of the most important things, I think, that could be done here. The US govt has the purchasing power, so why not purchase healthy food?"

www.help.senate.gov/hearings/wha...
What Is the FDA Doing to Reduce the Diabetes and Obesity Epidemics in America and Take on the Greed of the Food and Beverage Industry? | The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pension...
The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
www.help.senate.gov
December 5, 2024 at 4:44 PM
Trump has picked RFK Jr. to lead HHS. Washington, to put it mildly, is freaking out.

Here's a roundup of the reaction:

foodfix.co/trump-taps-r...
Trump taps Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS. Washington is freaking out.
President-elect Donald Trump selects vaccine skeptic and public health critic RFK Jr. to lead HHS, which oversees major health care programs, CDC, NIH and FDA.
foodfix.co
November 20, 2024 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Helena Bottemiller Evich
Been thinking a lot about Michelle Obama's campaign to take America's nutrition issues seriously and all of the pushback she got

@hbottemiller.bsky.social had a great piece detailing Obama's fight that should serve as a template for anyone who wants MAHA to succeed www.politico.com/agenda/story...
November 17, 2024 at 8:51 PM
Hello, hello! I'm officially back on here. Who should I be following? Where are the food/agriculture policy nerds? Help me out!
November 20, 2024 at 6:35 PM
The latest edition of Food Fix is a good one!

The lineup:

– A new bill aims to show us what foods SNAP buys

– Formula maker Bobbie becomes No. 3 player

– Aspartame in the hot seat – again

– Food Fix tries cell-cultivated meat

https://foodfix.co/we-spend-billions-on-snap-what-are-we-buying/
July 15, 2023 at 12:34 PM
Alright actually giving this thing a try. Hi! I’m a longtime food policy reporter in Washington - I recently left Politico to launch my own newsletter and it’s fun to read… go sign up here: foodfix.co
Home - Food Fix
Food Fix is a new publication about food policy in Washington and beyond by award-winning journalist Helena Bottemiller Evich.
foodfix.co
July 9, 2023 at 2:10 AM