Nutrition scientist Kevin Hall has resigned from the National Institutes of Health, warning that political interference under the Trump administration could hinder research into ultra-processed foods and their link to chronic disease.
Rachel Roubein and Anahad O’Connor report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Kevin Hall, known for his landmark 2019 study linking ultra-processed foods to weight gain and metabolic harm, announced he was leaving NIH after 21 years, citing concerns over censorship and political control of scientific messaging.
- Hall accused the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of downplaying his recent research findings and editing media responses without his consent, sparking alarm from fellow scientists about the future of public nutrition research.
- His departure comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now overseeing national health policy, promotes a food system overhaul while purging federal health agencies — moves that have drawn criticism even from those who support food reform.
Key quote:
“These experiences have led me to believe that NIH may be a difficult place to continue the gold-standard unbiased science required to inform the needed transformation of our food supply to make Americans healthy.”
— Kevin Hall, nutrition researcher
Why this matters:
Ultra-processed foods dominate the American diet, making up more than half of daily calorie intake in the U.S. These foods, engineered for shelf life and hyper-palatability, are packed with additives, stabilizers, and emulsifiers. Researchers like Kevin Hall have shown that even when matched for nutrients like fat, sugar, and salt, ultra-processed diets drive higher calorie intake and weight gain. The concern isn’t just about personal choice — it’s about how the industrial design of food itself shapes public health outcomes. As rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease climb, studies like Hall’s offer vital insights into how our food environment contributes to chronic illness. But when political agendas interfere with that science, the consequences can ripple far beyond the lab.
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