MAHA Commission Poised to Declare Glyphosate Safe Amidst Political Pressure and Conflicting Scientific Data

Washington, D.C. – The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is reportedly preparing to announce that glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, is safe. This anticipated declaration marks a significant shift from the commission's initial concerns regarding pesticides and follows intense lobbying efforts from the agricultural industry.

The development comes as journalist River Page, writing for The Free Press, highlighted the apparent collision between the "ideals of MAHA" and the influence of "a hugely powerful corner of the MAGA base." Page stated, > "This is what happens when the ideals of MAHA collide with a hugely powerful corner of the MAGA base."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has long maintained that glyphosate is "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans" when used according to its label, a stance echoed by several international regulatory bodies, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which recently re-approved glyphosate for another decade. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" in 2015, based on epidemiological and animal studies.

This ongoing scientific debate is further fueled by new research. A study published in June 2025 by the Ramazzini Institute found increased tumor rates in rats exposed to glyphosate levels considered safe under current European Union guidelines, prompting the European Commission to request a thorough review of the new data from EFSA and ECHA. Critics argue that regulatory assessments often rely on industry-funded studies and may not fully account for the toxicity of glyphosate-based formulations, which include co-formulants.

The MAHA Commission, established at the beginning of President Trump's second term, was tasked with addressing childhood chronic diseases, with its initial assessment mentioning pesticides as a potential concern. However, subsequent discussions and a leaked draft report indicate a move towards aligning with existing regulatory frameworks that deem glyphosate safe, reflecting a broader political and economic calculus within the administration. This stance is supported by agricultural groups who emphasize glyphosate's role in cost-effective farming and food production.