It’s a critical time for nutrition research, with the food industry under scrutiny for its role in the obesity epidemic and other health issues. The MAHA (Monitoring and Assessing Health and Agriculture) program, as it’s called, will be led by nutrition researcher Frank Hu at Harvard, who has a history of studying ultra-processed foods and their impact on health. Hu told STAT that he’s “excited and honored” to lead the initiative, which will be funded by a combination of government and private sector money.
The program will focus on a range of questions, from the impact of ultra-processed foods on weight gain and disease risk to the effect of food additives on metabolism and gut health. The hope is that the findings will help inform policy decisions at the FDA and other agencies, as well as guide consumers in making healthier choices.
“We’re at a critical juncture in our understanding of the role of food in health, and the MAHA program represents a unique opportunity to advance our knowledge in this area,” Hu said. “I’m confident that we can make real progress in unraveling the complexities of diet and health, and I’m excited to see where this research takes us.”
Stay tuned for more updates on the MAHA program and its findings in the coming months.
The future of health tech
As we look ahead to the Breakthrough Summit West this week, one of the key themes is the future of health tech. From AI-powered diagnostics to virtual care platforms, technology is transforming the way we approach health and wellness.
One of the most exciting developments in health tech is the rise of wearable devices that can monitor everything from heart rate to blood sugar levels in real time. These devices are giving individuals more control over their health, allowing them to track their progress and make informed decisions about their care.
Another area of innovation is telemedicine, which has seen explosive growth in recent years. With the rise of virtual care platforms, patients can now consult with healthcare providers from the comfort of their own homes, saving time and money in the process.
As we continue to explore the possibilities of health tech, it’s important to remember that these innovations are only as good as the data that powers them. Ensuring the privacy and security of patient data is crucial to the success of these technologies, and it’s something that all stakeholders must prioritize.
So as we gather at the Breakthrough Summit West this week, let’s celebrate the incredible advancements in health tech and look forward to a future where technology empowers us to live healthier, happier lives.
The FDA recently approved three natural food dyes, including calcium phosphate, an algae-derived blue dye, and expanded use of butterfly pea flower extract. This move is part of a larger effort to shift the food industry away from artificial dyes due to concerns about their potential negative health effects. The approval of these natural food dyes provides U.S. companies with more options as consumers and policymakers become increasingly concerned about synthetic dyes’ links to hyperactivity in children and cancer in animals.
However, one of the challenges the food industry faces in transitioning to natural color sources is the time it will take to ramp up the supply chain. Industry experts argue that meeting the proposed end-of-2026 deadline for phasing out synthetic dyes may be difficult due to this issue. While the recent FDA approvals won’t solve this problem, they do offer a wider range of options for food manufacturers to explore.
In other news, Elizabeth Holmes’s partner has launched a new blood-testing start-up, Trump’s pick for surgeon general is causing division within the MAHA movement, and Chinese and Chinese-American researchers in the U.S. are facing challenges. Additionally, an article in The Guardian explores why people lie about taking weight-loss drug Ozempic, and another article in STAT discusses the importance of defending science in the face of attacks.
As the food industry continues to evolve and address concerns about artificial ingredients, the approval of natural food dyes provides a step in the right direction. It is essential for companies to consider these alternatives and work towards a more sustainable and healthier future for the food supply chain.
