MAHA Report

The release of The MAHA Report–Make Our Children Healthy Again: Assessment has generated a tremendous amount of headlines, as well as considerable confusion. Since there are more than enough people and organizations opining on the report, we’ll spare you our thoughts. Instead, we’ve opted to help provide clarity, nuance, and understanding for folks who are curious or may have other questions about the CRIS-relevant topics the report addresses.

We’ve mapped the key topics it raised to our clear, science-backed explainers.

Read the MAHA Report

Jump to a topic area:

How do we evaluate evidence? How do we determine if an ingredient is safe?
What is a chemical? | Evaluation Process | Understanding Risk & Safety

Understanding the current policies
Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) | Food Additives

Foundational toxicology concepts
Toxicology Concepts | Understanding Exposure & Limits | How does our body process ingredients?

How do we evaluate evidence? How do we determine if an ingredient is safe?

Before any claim can be responsibly interpreted, we need to understand how scientists weigh, assess, and determine safety and risk.

What is a chemical?

Topic & Link	Summary
Chemophobia – Understanding why	Explains what chemicals are and offers a framework for understanding fear and misconceptions around them.

Topic & Link	Summary
Weight of Evidence	How scientists evaluate all available data, giving the greatest weight to high-quality studies to assess ingredient safety.
Exposure-based Risk Assessment Process	Outlines how scientists evaluate risk by combining hazard, exposure, and context.
Exposure-based Risk	Explains how the amount and frequency of exposure influence safety evaluations.

Topic & Link	Summary
What is Risk?	Defines risk in toxicology and explains how it differs from hazard.
Using Risk to Make Informed Decisions	Shows how understanding risk supports informed, science-based decision-making.
Is Zero Risk Possible?	Explains why “zero risk” is unrealistic and how science helps determine acceptable risk levels.

Topic & Link	Summary
What is GRAS?	Explains what GRAS means, how it’s determined, and how it helps ensure ingredient safety.
What is the GRAS Loophole?	Explores concerns and common misconceptions about the “GRAS loophole” in food safety regulation.

Topic & Link	Summary
What are Food Additives?	Explains what food additives are, why they’re used, and how their safety is evaluated.
What is the Delaney Clause?	Breaks down the Delaney Clause, its historical context, and its impact

Topic & Link	Summary
Dose	Introduces the core toxicology principle that harm depends on the dose.
Dose and Dose Rate	Explains the difference between total dose and how quickly it’s received.
Digging Deeper – Dose	Expands on how dose and individual factors influence safety and toxicity.

Topic & Link	Summary
What is Exposure?	Defines exposure and explains how route, amount, and frequency influence health risks.
What is a Threshold?	Describes how scientists determine safe limits using threshold values.
What is a Reference Dose?	Clarifies what a reference dose is and how it guides daily safety recommendations.

Topic & Link	Summary
Absorbing, Processing, Eliminating Ingredients	Describes how the body absorbs, metabolizes, and removes substances.
Body Detox	Explains how the body naturally detoxifies through biological processes.

Topic & Link	Summary
Protective Nutrition Overview	Explains how a balanced, varied diet supports health without requiring perfection or restriction.
Protective Nutrition: Disease Prevention	Highlights how nutrient-dense foods can help prevent chronic diseases and strengthen immunity.
Protective Nutrition: Heavy Metals	Explains how some heavy metals are essential in small amounts and how diet can reduce absorption of harmful ones.

Topic & Link	Summary
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals – Background	Introduces the endocrine system and how certain chemicals can disrupt hormonal balance, potentially affecting health.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Overview	Explores natural and synthetic sources of EDCs and how their safety is assessed through risk evaluations and regulations.

Topic & Link	Summary
Metals and Heavy Metals – Overview	Provides an overview of heavy metals, distinguishing essential from toxic types, and offers dietary guidance to minimize exposure.
Essential Metals	Explains the importance of essential metals like iron, zinc, and copper as vital nutrients gained through a balanced diet.
Heavy Metals in Food	Discusses how heavy metals like lead and cadmium enter the food supply and why understanding exposure levels is key.

Topic & Link	Summary
Organic Foods	Explains that “organic” refers to USDA-regulated farming practices, not inherent nutritional superiority or safety.
Synthetic vs. Natural Chemical Ingredients	Clarifies that both natural and synthetic ingredients are chemicals, with safety determined by dose and exposure, not origin.

Topic & Link	Summary
Pesticide Residue Safety	Explains how pesticide residues on produce are typically below safety limits, even for vulnerable populations.
Trace Contaminants – Pesticides	Describes how regulated levels keep both natural and synthetic pesticide residues safe.
What’s the Risk?	Discusses how pesticide residues from all farming types are low and further reduced by washing produce.

Topic & Link	Summary
Nanoplastics	Discusses new research detecting nanoplastics in human organs and the need for more data on potential health effects.
What’s a Plastic?	Defines plastics as synthetic or semi-synthetic polymers valued for their durability and widespread utility.
Symposium: Nanoplastic	Highlights from CRIS’s 2022 Annual Meeting featuring expert insights on the health effects of nano- and microplastics.

Topic & Link	Summary
Artificial Sweetener: A Cancer Risk?	Discusses recent studies on artificial sweeteners like aspartame, noting that current evidence does not confirm a direct cancer risk.
Artificial Sweeteners	Clarifies that FDA-approved artificial sweeteners are safe within recommended limits, with ongoing research addressing health concerns.
Real-Time Science: Sweeteners	Summarizes current scientific discussion and updates on the safety and health impacts of various sweeteners.
Stevia & Monk Fruit Sweeteners	Describes these plant-derived, calorie-free sweeteners as safe options that don’t raise blood sugar and support calorie management.
Sugar and Sweetener: Common Questions	Answers common questions about sweeteners, emphasizing moderation and informed decision-making.
Sugar Alcohols	Explains that sugar alcohols like erythritol and xylitol offer lower-calorie sweetness but may cause digestive issues if overconsumed.
Sugars	Details how both natural and added sugars are metabolized similarly, with moderation key to avoiding health risks.

Topic & Link	Summary
2023 Update	Reviews titanium dioxide’s common uses and finds no harm from consumption at standard levels.
Exposure to Titanium Dioxide	Explores how different exposure routes affect titanium dioxide safety, noting typical consumer use is safe.
Regulatory Views	Highlights that agencies like the FDA and Health Canada consider food-grade titanium dioxide safe within approved limits.
Titanium Dioxide Risk	Examines potential health risks, concluding it’s safe for consumers, though industrial inhalation may pose risks.

How do we evaluate evidence? How do we determine if an ingredient is safe?

What is a chemical?

Evaluation Process

Understanding Risk & Safety

Understanding the current policies

Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)

Food Additives

Foundational toxicology concepts to understand food and ingredient safety

Toxicology Concepts

Understanding Exposure & Limits

How does our body process ingredients?

Specifically mentioned compounds, ingredients, and more.

Protective Nutrition

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Food Colors & Dyes

Metals in Food

Organic & Natural

Pesticides

Plastics & Polymers

Seed Oils

Sweeteners & Sugar

Titanium Dioxide

The good news.