CA, US & World
FDA Chief Marks 100 Days with Plans to Overhaul Food Policy and Drug Reviews
Just over 100 days into his new role, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is laying out bold changes for the agency tasked with regulating food, drugs, and medical devices across the country. In a wide-ranging interview with CNN, Makary said the FDA is “cleaning house” on dietary guidelines and accelerating drug approvals, all while recovering from deep staffing cuts.
Makary, a former Johns Hopkins surgeon, took the helm of the FDA on April 1—the same day sweeping layoffs hit the agency under the White House’s DOGE reform group. He says many of those employees have since been reinstated, and the agency remains committed to meeting its evaluation targets by the end of the year.
As part of a broader health policy push led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the FDA is now soliciting expert input on how to define ultra processed foods and may revise the federal dietary guidelines accordingly. “We’re going to go bold on this,” Makary said. “People have been confused and misled for too long.”
He also signaled support for recent moves by major food companies to align with the administration’s health goals. Coca-Cola’s decision to use cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup was one example Makary applauded as a “good switch.”
The FDA is also reviewing over 11,000 food chemicals banned in Europe but still used in the U.S., and is experimenting with new technologies, including Elsa—an AI chatbot intended to assist with clinical review. Though Elsa has reportedly made errors, Makary called the tool “a work in progress.”
Makary’s vision extends to challenging long-held beliefs about nutrition, including what he describes as the “70-year war on natural saturated fat.” While controversial, these comments echo his broader push to overhaul how Americans think about food and health.
Appointed during a time of political and structural flux, Makary has found bipartisan support despite previous criticism of vaccine mandates and pandemic policies. “This is an entirely different domain for me,” he said of his transition from surgeon to FDA commissioner.
Credit: CNN Newsource
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: CNN Newsource
July 24, 2025
Latest Instagram Posts
CALIFORNIA IS AGING FAST... BUT WHERE WILL THE WORKFORCE LIVE? #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #agingpopulation #nbcpalmsprings
119 jobs on the line and DRD’s General Manager won’t answer questions … Drop a comment 👇: Would you vote YES or NO on giving a district more money if they refuse to answer transparency questions? #therogginreport #drd #coachellavalley #localnews #nbcpalmsprings
Help us choose the next NBC Palm Springs Fan of the Week! Vote for Video 1, 2, 3 or 4. The fan with the most votes will win a pair of tickets to next week’s Coachella Valley Firebirds game! Voting ends Thursday. Who’s your pick?
Spirit Halloween has revealed its top Halloween costume trends for 2026, and pop culture is driving the picks. Off Campus, Toy Story, K-pop Demon Hunters, superheroes, Greek gods and warriors — and plenty of Dolly Partons — are expected to be popular. What are you dressing up as this Halloween? #Halloween2026 #SpiritHalloween #HalloweenCostumes #nbcpalmsprings
After a car drove through a walkway, damaging Bill’s Pizza, the restaurant appears to have begun repairs and is still open the following day. The neighboring store, Gallivant was also damaged and is closed until Monday. The store has a gofundme page opened for them by a neighboring bookstore to support the cost of the damages. NBC Palm Springs is following the effects of this accident and what this means to the Palm Springs community. #billspizza #palmsprings #continuingcoverage #localnews #coachellavalley
Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are using bioengineered baker's yeast to break down plastic into ingredients for cookies.
Camden, Arkansas, is the unlikely hub of US missile manufacturing after years of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have drained the country's arsenal. But the Trump administration's push to scale up defense production is colliding with the limits of the small, rural town.
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will 1) Devin Session with the diving TD, 2) Mason Flores with the dot on the run, 3) Reese Johnson with the clutch FG, 4) Kaylaun Smith running over defenders, or 5) Joshua Perez with the TD throw. #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball
🏒🔥 LET’S HEAR FROM TIM O’BRIEN! We’re kicking off Coachella Valley Firebirds Opening Night and catching up with Tim O’Brien! Hear what he has to say as the Firebirds get ready to hit the ice for another exciting season. 🏒🔥 #CoachellaValleyFirebirds #Firebirds #OpeningNight #Hockey #CoachellaValley PalmSprings CVFirebirds
SHARE this reel to help find ‘The Fab 5’ a home! 🐶🤍 #therogginreport #palmsprings #dogrescue #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings