Flipping the food pyramid: Understanding the new U.S. dietary guidelines | HJ26

In January, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the nation’s health secretary, rolled out the Trump administration's new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, billing them as the “most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades.” The story behind those guidelines is a case study in how Kennedy and his allies are approaching federal food policy. In this session, we’ll cover how the guidelines were developed (including how this approach deviated from established evidence review processes); where they align — and diverge — from scientific consensus; and how they may shape federal food programs, such as school meals, WIC and SNAP. Moderator Alice Callahan, The New York Times, Reporter Speakers Grace Chamberlin, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Senior Policy Associate Joanne Slavin, University Of Minnesota, Professor This session was recorded at Health Journalism 2026 in Minneapolis on May 28, 2026. Video captured by Audio Visual Production Solutions Video Editor: Hyacinth Empinado