After years of dire warnings about Americans' diet, the political winds appear to be shifting to a more critical view of what we eat.

Why it matters: The concerns were evident at a Senate health committee hearing this month as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle dug into the connection between ultra-processed foods and chronic illness.

• Some were also surprised that the FDA hasn't reviewed the safety of a common food dye called Red 40 in more than a decade.

What they're saying: "This is the first time that I've heard anybody at that level talk about issues related to the food system in general and chronic disease in particular in a very, very long time," Marion Nestle, an emerita professor of nutrition at New York University, told Axios.

The big picture: The connection between food and chronic disease has been central to HHS Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy, whose MAHA agenda has targeted everything from dyes to seed oils.

• But the options for action may be limited to mandates, new programs that cost more money and the specter of the government dictating what we eat.

Jerold Mande, former deputy undersecretary at USDA, told Axios policies like changing the SNAP program, regulating ultra-processed foods and investing in nutrition and prevention are finally getting attention.

• "We've been waiting for this to be a political priority, and it finally is," Mande said, adding "the messenger is imperfect here," in reference to Kennedy and MAHA.

What's ahead: FDA officials said at the hearing that they are eyeing a potential ban on Red No. 3, a food dye commonly used in candy and snack foods that has raised concerns about whether it causes behavioral problems in children.

• The agency is also eyeing front-of-package labeling on processed foods, and intends to issue a rule updating when food makers can claim a product is "healthy," commissioner Robert Califf said.

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From carrots to eggs to onions to milk and ice cream, food recalls have mounted this year.

The big picture: Food and cosmetic recalls, which the FDA categorizes together, nearly doubled from 2012 to 2024.

• During the 2024 fiscal year that ended in September, such recalls reached the highest level since before the pandemic, FDA data show.
• "This is going to continue to increase before it gets better," per Darin Detwiler, a Northeastern University associate teaching professor and food safety advocate who said his son died as a result of an E. coli outbreak.

State of play: The rise in such incidents can partially be attributed to an increase in consumer demand for ready-to-eat foods and prepackaged meals, Detwiler told Axios in a phone interview.

• "With greater convenience comes more risk," he said. Those types of foods are often consumed without any additional cooking, which would potentially kill listeria, Detwiler said.
• There's also increased globalization of food production, which creates more opportunities for contamination at multiple points in the supply chain and more blind spots, he said.

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Just over a third of U.S. psychologists say they don't accept any type of health insurance, according to the American Psychological Association's latest annual provider survey.

Why it matters: The lack of mental health professionals in insurer networks can make it difficult for Americans to access counseling or other behavioral care.

• Psychology appointments not covered by health insurance might range from about $100 to $200 per session, according to Psychology Today.

By the numbers: 34% of those surveyed said they aren't in public or private insurer networks.

• 82% of those cited insufficient reimbursement rates as the biggest barrier to participating.
• 62% cited pre-authorization requirements and other administrative issues.
• About half of psychologists who don't take insurance said they used to accept it.

Between the lines: The Biden administration in September finalized new rules to better enforce requirements that insurers cover mental health on par with physical health.

• Under those rules, insurers may have to boost reimbursements if they find their mental health networks are too skimpy. Insurers have said the rules will complicate compliance and decrease access to care.

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Republicans and Democrats agreed to a sweeping series of health policy changes that will be incorporated into a year-end package to keep the government funded, Victoria Knight and Peter Sullivan wrote first on Pro.

Why it matters: The 1,547-page bill that came out Tuesday evening includes a two-year extension of pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities, along with continued funding for community health centers and significant reforms to how pharmacy benefit managers are paid.

• Programs under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act and the SUPPORT Act addressing the opioid crisis also would be renewed.

The PBM provisions represent a victory for the pharmaceutical industry, which has blamed the drug supply chain middlemen for driving up the costs of medicines.

• That was tempered somewhat by the inclusion of a measure cracking down on drug "patent thickets" that backers say drugmakers use to delay competition with generic medicines.

Lawmakers gave physicians who treat Medicare patients relief from a scheduled fee cut next year.

• But negotiators dropped a provision addressing insurer pre-approval requirements for physician-ordered care in Medicare Advantage due to lingering disagreements over transparency requirements for health plans.

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👀 41% of young voters said the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing was "acceptable" or "somewhat acceptable" in an Emerson College poll. (Axios)

💉 HHS Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told senators that he supports polio vaccination but suggested that children receive too many shots. (Reuters)

🚨 The FDA put a black-box warning on Veozah, a drug used to relieve menopausal hot flashes, saying it could cause liver problems. (CNN)