Washington Post reporter covering the Food and Drug Administration. Reach me securely on Signal: RachelRoubein.28https://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mwex7s2ygc25New: The Post obtained RFK Jr.'s draft response to Kessler's petition in which he concluded food companies should provide "any detailed safety studies" about certain core ingredients in ultra-processed foods. wapo.st/3T2NPY0 https://wapo.st/3T2NPY025 Sep 2026 23:44 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwex7s2ygc25https://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mv7g25p7rc2zWhite House, as well as HHS lawyers, signed off on the plan to let RFK Jr. use military aircraft With @ddiamond.bsky.social and @abtran.bsky.social11 Sep 2026 01:28 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv7g25p7rc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mv6oymezrc2cNew: Federal officials are poised to declare end of nation’s largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak after thousands of people became sick after eating shredded iceberg lettuce. Timing could come as soon as later today but not guaranteed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/09/10/federal-officials-poised-declare-end-uss-largest-known-cyclosporiasis-outbreak/10 Sep 2026 18:35 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv6oymezrc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mtyoji3cyk2dThe MAGA-MAHA alliance helped carry Trump to the White House. It handed RFK Jr. control of the nation’s health agencies. But MAHA frustration has been building over weedkillers, anger that is being directed at Trump's FDA nominee. With @ddiamond.bsky.social https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/08/26/white-house-maha-fight-over-pesticides-snares-trumps-fda-nominee/26 Aug 2026 15:46 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyoji3cyk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mt2pqcgovs23FDA investigators are now in Mexico nearly a month after federal officials linked Taylor Farms’ lettuce to the nation’s largest cyclospora outbreak. Inspecting the processing plant now, fields next. w/ @lenasun.bsky.social @caitlingilbert.bsky.social https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/08/14/fda-mexico-month-after-linking-taylor-farms-cyclospora-outbreak/14 Aug 2026 17:48 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt2pqcgovs23https://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mspzyingms2oRFK Jr. slated to unveil plan today targeting GRAS loophole that allows chemicals in food supply without notifying federal regulators, according to ppl familiar with the matter. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/08/10/rfk-jr-slated-unveil-plan-targeting-loophole-that-allows-chemicals-food-supply/10 Aug 2026 11:52 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mspzyingms2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mr3iyeac622licymi: FDA officials raised conflict of interest concerns ahead of new peptide panel slated to meet this week. Despite the flags, HHS chose multiple panelists who promote peptides, an unusual process given FDA staff typically pick their advisers. wapo.st/4wQFIf9 https://wapo.st/4wQFIf920 Jul 2026 14:29 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr3iyeac622lhttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mpjb3m727k2gRFK Jr., a self-professed "big fan" of peptides, wants to expand access to the popular products. FDA career scientists said there isn't enough evidence to do so. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social30 Jun 2026 14:55 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpjb3m727k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3moioverksc2zAmong our findings: — Federal officials exploring re-creating ACIP — An effort to create a new CDC Office of Science — NIH urging scientists to do vaccine injury research — Analysis of data from a surveillance system remains in hands of health orgs https://bsky.app/profile/lenasun.bsky.social/post/3moiodbf3us2g [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Jun 2026 16:04 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3moioverksc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mnrwfbazys2wBefore winning the GOP primary for Iowa governor, Zach Lahn attacked Big Ag, a stance once unthinkable for Republicans in the Corn Belt. — He beat a Trump-endorsed candidate. — Lahn had discussed his run with RFK Jr., who was supportive. W/ @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social08 Jun 2026 14:47 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnrwfbazys2whttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mlykxwuf5222RFK Jr. wanted a health overhaul led by outsiders. Now some are gone, raising concerns from some MAHA allies about his influence. — Some officials argue leaders, like Wiles, are committed to MAHA & changes are to reduce "unnecessary noise" With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & @ddiamond.bsky.social https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/05/16/ouster-rfk-jrs-allies-tests-maha-trump-alliance/16 May 2026 19:21 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlykxwuf5222https://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mkzu2lmq2c2kA plea to Joe Rogan. An appeal to Trump: How Republicans came to embrace psychedelics Veterans and high-ranking officials, like RFK Jr., have pushed the issue. Policy proposals had been sketched out months before Trump sought to elevate the issue https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/05/04/trump-psychedelics-republicans-mental-health/04 May 2026 14:11 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkzu2lmq2c2khttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mkqdzlbz7c2vCasey Means blamed senators for blocking her nomination, calling it an "act of aggression" against MAHA. Saphier has been openly critical of some of Kennedy's moves on vaccines and Tylenol announcement. @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/laurenweberhp.bsky.social/post/3mkqcpg7h7223 [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 Apr 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqdzlbz7c2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mjwq7a3hns2kKitKat, Gatorade or granola bars? Pushed by RFK Jr., what’s banned under new food stamp rules has been mixed, leading to maze of new restrictions. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/20/candy-soda-ban-food-stamps-snap-maha/20 Apr 2026 14:59 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjwq7a3hns2khttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mjmfuw2als2zRFK Jr. begins a seven hearing blitz on Capitol Hill this morning. Here’s what we’re watching with updates throughout the day. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/16/rfk-hearing-budget/16 Apr 2026 12:27 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjmfuw2als2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/rachelroubein.bsky.social/post/3mjk3jihn4222FDA weighs lifting peptide restrictions amid wellness craze and push from RFK Jr. The agency had previously restricted some peptides due to safety concerns. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/15/peptides-fda-compounding/15 Apr 2026 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:yno7e3fazbza26ewfbwgc3c2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjk3jihn4222