Back in May, I spoke with Dr. Ashley Johnson, Director of Food Policy for the National Pork Producers Council, during a visit to Washington, D.C., about the importance of maintaining science-based dietary guidelines. During that conversation, she acknowledged the upcoming release of the MAHA report and said there were questions within the industry about what it might contain. While the details were still unknown at the time, the livestock sector was already preparing for what could be a challenging narrative. You can revisit that May conversation here: Pork Supports Affordable, Balanced Diets.
Dr. Ashley Johnson is back with us to share her initial reaction now that the MAHA report has officially been released. She says this is a pivotal report, as it will help shape a broader national nutrition strategy expected later this summer. From a pork industry standpoint, Johnson says there are encouraging signs, especially the report’s focus on whole foods and its recognition of nutrient-dense options like fresh cuts of pork. “Lard is back,” she notes with a smile, adding that it’s a clear win for producers who have long worked to highlight pork as a healthy, affordable choice.
Where the pork industry sees a major concern is in how the MAHA report defines ultra-processed foods. Dr. Johnson points out that lumping products like bacon and sausage in the same category as sugary snacks and heavily manufactured foods is misleading and oversimplifies the issue. She says it’s frustrating to see nutritious, protein-rich options being compared to foods with long ingredient lists that have little in common with meat.
Dr. Johnson says the confusion around labeling bacon and sausage as ultra-processed often stems from the use of additives. These ingredients play a critical role in food safety, helping to prevent bacterial growth and extend shelf life. She emphasizes that this doesn’t make the products unhealthy—it simply makes them safe and practical for consumers.
We’ll wrap up our conversation with Dr. Ashley Johnson tomorrow, focusing on what comes next as the MAHA report begins to shape national nutrition recommendations later this summer—or possibly into the fall. One of the biggest concerns she raises is that agriculture has largely been left out of the discussion so far. As decisions are made that could directly impact the future of food production, the industry is still waiting for a seat at the table.
