Afleveringen
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There has been quite a bit of chatter lately around front-of-package nutrition, the need to understand nutritional density and whether the FDA is doing enough in general. Especially in light of the fact that 75% of the âfoodâ in grocery stores isnât actually food at all by definition.
FOOD (noun) - any substance consumed by an organism for nutritional support and energy
Well what better a way to ponder the FDAâs vision than to hear it directly from the proverbial âhorses mouthâ.
Late 2024, Erin Martin (FreshRX Oklahoma), Justin Politi (one of partners at BP2 Health) and I had the chance to sit down with the FDAâs Deptuty Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods - Jim Jones. In this role, which reports directly to the FDA Commissioner, Jones leads the unified Human Foods Program (HFP), overseeing all FDA food safety and nutrition activities. He is actually the first person to hold this role that was created in 2023.
When you read his background, you realize he might be a bit of a secret weapon for Making America Healthy Again #MAHA. He spent most of his career as a federal regulator of pesticides, toxic substances, chemical safety, and pollution prevention at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and spent much of his tenure involved in leadership and decision-making related to food safety. As a principal architect of the 2016 overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act, Jones led discussions with members of Congress, industry and environmental groups that resulted in a law reshaping how chemical safety is managed in the U.S. And these are just a few of the highlights.
âMy view is that we have 330 million Americans that we really want to improve their nutrition, and I want to do it for everybody. - Jim Jones
Call me a pollyanna, but after our power-packed 15 minutes where Jim shared a few of the highlights of what the FDA has planned, I felt it wasnât all doom and gloom:
* A rule that will describe the parameters for when a food can say that it's healthy. And the development of a logo so that consumers can start to see on packaging some consistency around how they can be able to recognize the healthy designation. This will identify products designated as healthy across product categories and within product categories
* Taking comment from all stakeholders right now, what we refer to as Phase II of sodium reduction goals. Phase I just ended last April and with a 2.5 year goal to achieve a 13% reduction in average sodium consumption by Americans. The early data that we have indicates about 40% of the categories meeting or close to meeting the first reduction
* Planning to propose bringing three nutrients from the back of the label to the front of the label, in a way that's very easily understood by the consumer (Sodium, added sugar and saturated fat). Putting that on the front of the label with some descriptor related to it. (This was actually announced by the FDA a few weeks ago)
* We discussed whether there is a universe where there are fewer chemicals in our foods
* We talked about Eric J. Smith and Edacious and the need for nutritional density
* We talked about work that includes Instacart to help them help their customers quickly understand what foods they are buying through Instacart that are good for them
âAt the FDA we have a lot of knowledge around nutrition, chemical safety, how that can then be translated in new technologies in the private sector to help consumers buy and get healthier food, and I think that that can play a huge role in how people get healthierâ - Jim Jones
Despite all of this promise, we seem to all find ways to pick things apart. We all seem to say it isnât enough and that the evil empire of food/pharam/chemicals will find a way around.
Which brings me to the question I started withâŠ
Is incremental change better than no change at all?
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This episode features a conversation between Ellen Brown and Carter Williams about the systemic issues within the food and health industries. They discuss the interconnectedness of the food system, from soil to cell, and argue for a more holistic approach to improving health outcomes. Their conversation explores the need for systemic redesign, drawing parallels to engineering and aircraft accident investigations, to create a more nutritious and affordable food system. They highlight examples of companies successfully integrating various stages of the food chain and emphasize the potential of data-driven approaches to improve both individual and population health. Ultimately, they advocate for a comprehensive, systems-level approach to address the current health crisis.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Our co-hosts Katie Stebbins, Carter Williams, and Ellen Brown reflect on the past year and discussing the interconnectedness of the food and healthcare systems. They analyze the food supply chain ("soil to cell"), exploring challenges and opportunities in farming, manufacturing, distribution, and consumer behavior. The discussion highlights the need for systems thinking, addressing issues like regenerative agriculture, food safety recalls, and the evolving relationship between food companies and healthcare. They emphasize the potential for innovation and collaboration to improve health outcomes and economic efficiency. Finally, they predict future trends and identify key areas for change in 2025.
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We recently brought together a multidisciplinary panel of experts sharing practical strategies to address critical issues at the intersection of healthcare and food policy. Drawing on perspectives from healthcare to agriculture, the discussion focuses on actionable approaches to Make America Healthy Again.
The diverse expertise of the speakers provides a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities in transforming healthcare through a more nutritious and affordable food system. This session offers valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders seeking pragmatic solutions.
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Our hosts Katie Stebbins, Ellen Brown, and Carter Williams are joined by Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, an internationally acclaimed expert on science-based naturopathic medicine, to explore the intersection of nutrition, healthcare, and environmental factors influencing public health.
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Erin Martin runs a program called FreshRx Oklahoma, which prescribes fresh, locally grown produce to individuals with type 2 diabetes. This program is aimed at addressing both food insecurity and chronic illness, showing remarkable results in reducing patientsâ A1C levels, weight, and healthcare costs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of aligning economic, agricultural, and health systems to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
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Our hosts Katie Stebbins, Ellen Brown, and Carter Williams are joined by guest Matt Moreland of Moreland Farms. The group discusses current agricultural trends and challenges, including the integration of the supply chain and the tension between overproduction of commodity crops and the growing demand for specialized, higher-quality agricultural products. They explore the potential role of food in improving public health, especially in light of rising health care costs and the increasing use of GLP-1 medications for obesity. The podcast also covers the need for innovation in farming practices, such as integrating livestock, and the broader impact of these practices on climate and health systems. The conversation emphasizes how changes in the food system can drive better health outcomes and create new economic opportunities.
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The US spends $1.7t on food and $1.9t on healthcare due to poor nutrition annually. We need to come together to find the answers, so here we are, connecting food, health, and the economy.
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