Sasha Chavkin
@sashachavkin.bsky.social
Senior reporter covering the food industry @theexamination.org. Past: RIN Fellow for Pulitzer Center/@apnews.com, Ted Scripps Fellow, reporter @ICIJorg. Believer in democracy, the Constitution and the New York Mets.
Pinned
Sasha Chavkin
@sashachavkin.bsky.social
· Mar 25
We're covering cuts to FDA and other food regulators at @theexamination.org
If you're a federal worker, contractor or business partner, and we should know about changes to food programs and their impact on food safety & public health, drop a line
DMs are open and I'm on Signal at sashachavkin.09
If you're a federal worker, contractor or business partner, and we should know about changes to food programs and their impact on food safety & public health, drop a line
DMs are open and I'm on Signal at sashachavkin.09
My colleague @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social's blockbuster investigation revealing how lead used in US car batteries is poisoning communities across West Africa
You don't want to miss this one
You don't want to miss this one
Lead can be recycled cleanly, but automakers like Ford and GM source batteries made by companies that use lead from unsafe factories overseas. Our investigation with @NYT shows how car battery recycling is poisoning a community in Nigeria. bit.ly/3XBhrdo
November 19, 2025 at 1:31 PM
My colleague @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social's blockbuster investigation revealing how lead used in US car batteries is poisoning communities across West Africa
You don't want to miss this one
You don't want to miss this one
Buried in the spending bill that reopened the government are food industry-backed provisions that zero out funding for:
- Recordkeeping to track outbreaks of foodborne illness
- Preventing contamination of produce
- Rules to reduce sodium that target UPFs
Strong work from @thelever.bsky.social
- Recordkeeping to track outbreaks of foodborne illness
- Preventing contamination of produce
- Rules to reduce sodium that target UPFs
Strong work from @thelever.bsky.social
Shutdown Deal Kills Food Safety Rules
After lobbyists spent big on the Trump administration and Democratic defectors, the government funding bill cut food-contamination rules and limited ultraprocessed-food research.
www.levernews.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Buried in the spending bill that reopened the government are food industry-backed provisions that zero out funding for:
- Recordkeeping to track outbreaks of foodborne illness
- Preventing contamination of produce
- Rules to reduce sodium that target UPFs
Strong work from @thelever.bsky.social
- Recordkeeping to track outbreaks of foodborne illness
- Preventing contamination of produce
- Rules to reduce sodium that target UPFs
Strong work from @thelever.bsky.social
Our investigation revealing billions of dollars in green loans going to mega-polluters won an Eppy award!
Honored to be part of this outstanding team at @theexamination.org @mississippitoday.org @thestar.com
Honored to be part of this outstanding team at @theexamination.org @mississippitoday.org @thestar.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Our investigation revealing billions of dollars in green loans going to mega-polluters won an Eppy award!
Honored to be part of this outstanding team at @theexamination.org @mississippitoday.org @thestar.com
Honored to be part of this outstanding team at @theexamination.org @mississippitoday.org @thestar.com
Nutrition experts warn that RFK Jr's efforts to embrace saturated fat could affect school lunches, WIC benefits and other food programs for children
“Cardiovascular disease starts early," one nutritionist tells @statnews.com
“Cardiovascular disease starts early," one nutritionist tells @statnews.com
What Kennedy's saturated fat guidelines would mean for American health
RFK Jr.'s new dietary guidelines are set to encourage consumption of more saturated fat, but some nutrition experts say that could cause long-term, widespread harm.
www.statnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Nutrition experts warn that RFK Jr's efforts to embrace saturated fat could affect school lunches, WIC benefits and other food programs for children
“Cardiovascular disease starts early," one nutritionist tells @statnews.com
“Cardiovascular disease starts early," one nutritionist tells @statnews.com
The world's largest meatpacker, JBS, is joining the COP30 climate talks after leading an industry working group on food systems
JBS accounts for a quarter of all GHG emissions from meat and dairy, a recent report found, and critics fear it will join the oil and gas industries in blocking progress
JBS accounts for a quarter of all GHG emissions from meat and dairy, a recent report found, and critics fear it will join the oil and gas industries in blocking progress
At COP30, Brazilian Meat Giant JBS Recommends Climate Policy
The world's biggest meat company, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, is leading food-company efforts in global climate talks.
civileats.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The world's largest meatpacker, JBS, is joining the COP30 climate talks after leading an industry working group on food systems
JBS accounts for a quarter of all GHG emissions from meat and dairy, a recent report found, and critics fear it will join the oil and gas industries in blocking progress
JBS accounts for a quarter of all GHG emissions from meat and dairy, a recent report found, and critics fear it will join the oil and gas industries in blocking progress
A key academic advocate of tobacco "harm reduction" - ie switching from cigarettes to products like vapes - took $$ from Juul without disclosing
Another scoop from Matthew and @theexamination.org's tobacco team 🔥
Another scoop from Matthew and @theexamination.org's tobacco team 🔥
An influential Greek cardiologist who has helped shaped the global debate on vaping was paid thousands of euros from ecig giant Juul via an offshore company he co-owns, myself, @ebersi.bsky.social and @stephanehorel.bsky.social can reveal www.theexamination.org/articles/juu...
‘Independent’ expert who helped shape global vaping debate was paid thousands by Juul
A Greek physician who has extensively studied nicotine was paid by Juul to lobby against Israeli vaping regulations. He didn’t disclose the payment in his research.
www.theexamination.org
November 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
A key academic advocate of tobacco "harm reduction" - ie switching from cigarettes to products like vapes - took $$ from Juul without disclosing
Another scoop from Matthew and @theexamination.org's tobacco team 🔥
Another scoop from Matthew and @theexamination.org's tobacco team 🔥
Thirteen babies in ten states have been hospitalized in a botulism outbreak to ByHeart baby formula
Two batches of the product have been recalled from shelves
Two batches of the product have been recalled from shelves
Baby formula recalled after infant botulism outbreak
ByHeart recalled two batches of its baby formula following federal officials’ report of 13 children contracting infant botulism after consuming its product.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Thirteen babies in ten states have been hospitalized in a botulism outbreak to ByHeart baby formula
Two batches of the product have been recalled from shelves
Two batches of the product have been recalled from shelves
Biomass giant Drax sourced wood pellets from old growth forests in 2024 and 2025, according to a new report from @stand.earth
Drax has reaped billions in subsidies and low-interest loans tied to its claims to produce green, renewable energy
Drax has reaped billions in subsidies and low-interest loans tied to its claims to produce green, renewable energy
Truckloads of Trees: Drax sourced wood pellets from old growth forests in B.C. in 2024, and likely 2025 – Forest Eye
stand.earth
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Biomass giant Drax sourced wood pellets from old growth forests in 2024 and 2025, according to a new report from @stand.earth
Drax has reaped billions in subsidies and low-interest loans tied to its claims to produce green, renewable energy
Drax has reaped billions in subsidies and low-interest loans tied to its claims to produce green, renewable energy
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
The world's biggest meatpacker, JBS, claimed in its adverts: "Bacon, chicken wings and steak with net-zero emissions. It’s possible."
But it never seemed to have a plan to make this happen. So now it's paying $1.1 million to settle a false advertising case
newrepublic.com/article/2028...
But it never seemed to have a plan to make this happen. So now it's paying $1.1 million to settle a false advertising case
newrepublic.com/article/2028...
The Meat Advertising Case That Should Be Talked About at COP30
JBS’s false advertising settlement comes as Big Ag prepares to spread propaganda at the U.N. climate conference.
newrepublic.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The world's biggest meatpacker, JBS, claimed in its adverts: "Bacon, chicken wings and steak with net-zero emissions. It’s possible."
But it never seemed to have a plan to make this happen. So now it's paying $1.1 million to settle a false advertising case
newrepublic.com/article/2028...
But it never seemed to have a plan to make this happen. So now it's paying $1.1 million to settle a false advertising case
newrepublic.com/article/2028...
The battle over MAHA food policy is growing.
Advocacy group @ewgofficial.bsky.social opposes new GOP food ingredient disclosure bill as not strong enough, while industry-backed Americans for Ingredient Transparency seeks to preempt state level action
civileats.com/2025/11/06/s...
Advocacy group @ewgofficial.bsky.social opposes new GOP food ingredient disclosure bill as not strong enough, while industry-backed Americans for Ingredient Transparency seeks to preempt state level action
civileats.com/2025/11/06/s...
Senate Introduces Food Ingredient Disclosure Bill, Addressing MAHA Concerns
The legislation would reform food ingredient reporting and reviews, while retaining states’ ability to ban food dyes and additives.
civileats.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The battle over MAHA food policy is growing.
Advocacy group @ewgofficial.bsky.social opposes new GOP food ingredient disclosure bill as not strong enough, while industry-backed Americans for Ingredient Transparency seeks to preempt state level action
civileats.com/2025/11/06/s...
Advocacy group @ewgofficial.bsky.social opposes new GOP food ingredient disclosure bill as not strong enough, while industry-backed Americans for Ingredient Transparency seeks to preempt state level action
civileats.com/2025/11/06/s...
Trump's decimation of the FDA has resulted in plunging inspections of foreign food imports, ProPublica finds
“It’s only a matter of time before people die,” one expert said
“It’s only a matter of time before people die,” one expert said
NEW: Billions of pounds of food are imported to the U.S. each year.
The FDA inspects foreign producers to ensure what we're eating is safe from pathogens and dangerous manufacturing practices.
But now, after Trump's drastic staff cuts, these inspections have plummeted to a historic low.
🧵/
The FDA inspects foreign producers to ensure what we're eating is safe from pathogens and dangerous manufacturing practices.
But now, after Trump's drastic staff cuts, these inspections have plummeted to a historic low.
🧵/
Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Cuts
The dramatic shift in oversight comes at a time when the U.S. has never been more reliant on foreign food, which accounts for the vast majority of the nation’s seafood and more than half its fresh fru...
www.propublica.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Trump's decimation of the FDA has resulted in plunging inspections of foreign food imports, ProPublica finds
“It’s only a matter of time before people die,” one expert said
“It’s only a matter of time before people die,” one expert said
Leading Brazilian food industry group that includes Nestle and Cargill pledges to increase recycling ahead of COP30 global climate talks
Environmentalists tell @reporterbrasil.org.br that recycling can't fix plastic pollution because much of the waste isn't recyclable
Environmentalists tell @reporterbrasil.org.br that recycling can't fix plastic pollution because much of the waste isn't recyclable
Reciclagem de pacotes de alimentos não resolve 'crise do plástico'
Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Alimentos lança instituto de logística reversa de embalagens plásticas; especialistas têm ressalvas
reporterbrasil.org.br
November 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Leading Brazilian food industry group that includes Nestle and Cargill pledges to increase recycling ahead of COP30 global climate talks
Environmentalists tell @reporterbrasil.org.br that recycling can't fix plastic pollution because much of the waste isn't recyclable
Environmentalists tell @reporterbrasil.org.br that recycling can't fix plastic pollution because much of the waste isn't recyclable
Federal inspection reports show that salmonella is widespread in grocery store chicken and turkey products - and the govt has no authority to act aside from noting violations.
In April the Trump administration withdrew a rule that would have empowered the USDA to remove salmonella-tainted poultry
In April the Trump administration withdrew a rule that would have empowered the USDA to remove salmonella-tainted poultry
Poultry industry pushes back after report shows salmonella is widespread in grocery store chicken
A new report shows that salmonella is widespread in packaged ground turkey and chicken. The report is based on USDA inspection reports.
www.latimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Federal inspection reports show that salmonella is widespread in grocery store chicken and turkey products - and the govt has no authority to act aside from noting violations.
In April the Trump administration withdrew a rule that would have empowered the USDA to remove salmonella-tainted poultry
In April the Trump administration withdrew a rule that would have empowered the USDA to remove salmonella-tainted poultry
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
Indiana University admin backs down, allows actual news in the student newspaper.
Editors: "We do intend to keep administrators to their word. Thus far, that’s been hard to trust."
www.idsnews.com/article/2025...
1/2
Editors: "We do intend to keep administrators to their word. Thus far, that’s been hard to trust."
www.idsnews.com/article/2025...
1/2
November 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Indiana University admin backs down, allows actual news in the student newspaper.
Editors: "We do intend to keep administrators to their word. Thus far, that’s been hard to trust."
www.idsnews.com/article/2025...
1/2
Editors: "We do intend to keep administrators to their word. Thus far, that’s been hard to trust."
www.idsnews.com/article/2025...
1/2
Mexico's Congress approves a new budget that includes one of the world's most ambitious health taxes
The health tax covers sugary beverages, tobacco, violent video games & more, and its proceeds will go towards addressing the health costs resulting from these products
The health tax covers sugary beverages, tobacco, violent video games & more, and its proceeds will go towards addressing the health costs resulting from these products
Senadores aprueban sin cambios paquete fiscal 2026: sube impuesto a refrescos, tabaco y videojuegos
Entre las reformas aprobadas está la que establece el aumento de impuestos a bebidas azucaradas, tabaco y videojuegos violentos y apuestas.
www.proceso.com.mx
October 31, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Mexico's Congress approves a new budget that includes one of the world's most ambitious health taxes
The health tax covers sugary beverages, tobacco, violent video games & more, and its proceeds will go towards addressing the health costs resulting from these products
The health tax covers sugary beverages, tobacco, violent video games & more, and its proceeds will go towards addressing the health costs resulting from these products
Democratic AGs from 25 states are suing the Trump administration for refusing to use USDA contingency funds to cover food stamps during the shutdown
Via @civileats.com
Via @civileats.com
States Sue Trump Administration to Release SNAP Reserve Funds
Democratic attorneys general from 25 states are asking a federal court to compel the Agriculture Department to release $5 billion in reserve funds for food assistance.
civileats.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Democratic AGs from 25 states are suing the Trump administration for refusing to use USDA contingency funds to cover food stamps during the shutdown
Via @civileats.com
Via @civileats.com
The Peruvian region of Ica exports blueberries and other fruits to the US, Europe and across the world
But big agroexporters are depleting groundwater so fast that small farmers can't operate and the whole system can't be sustained, @saludconlupa.com reports
But big agroexporters are depleting groundwater so fast that small farmers can't operate and the whole system can't be sustained, @saludconlupa.com reports
Las frutas de la sed: el negocio que agota el agua de Ica para exportar al mundo
En Ica, las empresas agroexportadoras extraen del subsuelo más del doble del agua que el acuífero logra reponer cada año. Pese a las vedas y sanciones por el uso de pozos informales, el modelo agrícol...
saludconlupa.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The Peruvian region of Ica exports blueberries and other fruits to the US, Europe and across the world
But big agroexporters are depleting groundwater so fast that small farmers can't operate and the whole system can't be sustained, @saludconlupa.com reports
But big agroexporters are depleting groundwater so fast that small farmers can't operate and the whole system can't be sustained, @saludconlupa.com reports
Coca-Cola's Caravans - large Christmas parades that market Coke - left cities across Mexico to pay the bill for security, logistics and more
New report from @kenniav.bsky.social comes as Mexico weighs higher taxes on sugary beverages to cover growing cost of diet-related disease
New report from @kenniav.bsky.social comes as Mexico weighs higher taxes on sugary beverages to cover growing cost of diet-related disease
Coca-Cola Caravan: fleeting joy that leaves behind garbage, public spending and disease | POPLab
Though it is promoted as a free family event, it costs the municipalities thousands of pesos, leaves tons of waste, and reinforces the presence of a brand linked to different health conditions.
poplab.mx
October 27, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Coca-Cola's Caravans - large Christmas parades that market Coke - left cities across Mexico to pay the bill for security, logistics and more
New report from @kenniav.bsky.social comes as Mexico weighs higher taxes on sugary beverages to cover growing cost of diet-related disease
New report from @kenniav.bsky.social comes as Mexico weighs higher taxes on sugary beverages to cover growing cost of diet-related disease
Lord Strathcarron, a UK lawmaker who tried to block an anti-tobacco bill, discussed the legislation with a family member who is “very high up” at British American Tobacco
Extremely British tobacco machinations uncovered by @mattchapman.bsky.social
Extremely British tobacco machinations uncovered by @mattchapman.bsky.social
Lawmaker with family ties to British American Tobacco attempts to stop UK smoking ban
Lord Strathcarron didn’t publicly disclose his family connection even as he adopted the tobacco giant’s position on a “smoke-free generation” bill.
www.theexamination.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Lord Strathcarron, a UK lawmaker who tried to block an anti-tobacco bill, discussed the legislation with a family member who is “very high up” at British American Tobacco
Extremely British tobacco machinations uncovered by @mattchapman.bsky.social
Extremely British tobacco machinations uncovered by @mattchapman.bsky.social
Amid a resurgence in bird flu, the egg industry is urging the Trump administration to move quickly to vaccinate its flocks
Earlier this year, RFK Jr cancelled a grant of more than $500m for Moderna to develop bird flu vaccines using mRNA technology
Earlier this year, RFK Jr cancelled a grant of more than $500m for Moderna to develop bird flu vaccines using mRNA technology
Egg industry seeks action as HPAI devastates flocks
USDA has yet to announce vaccination program.
www.foodbusinessnews.net
October 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Amid a resurgence in bird flu, the egg industry is urging the Trump administration to move quickly to vaccinate its flocks
Earlier this year, RFK Jr cancelled a grant of more than $500m for Moderna to develop bird flu vaccines using mRNA technology
Earlier this year, RFK Jr cancelled a grant of more than $500m for Moderna to develop bird flu vaccines using mRNA technology
Telehealth company Ro creates a scale for "food noise," defined as incessant or debilitating thoughts about food
The scale will be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments, but critics say its inventing a diagnosis to sell more GLP-1s
The scale will be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments, but critics say its inventing a diagnosis to sell more GLP-1s
Can ‘food noise’ be measured? Telehealth giant Ro rolls out a new scale for obesity care
Can "food noise" be measured? Telehealth giant Ro is rolling out a new scale for obesity care.
www.statnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Telehealth company Ro creates a scale for "food noise," defined as incessant or debilitating thoughts about food
The scale will be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments, but critics say its inventing a diagnosis to sell more GLP-1s
The scale will be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments, but critics say its inventing a diagnosis to sell more GLP-1s
Governments in 21 countries have sued the tobacco industry for the health costs of smoking - and only two have seen any money
New story from @maria-perez.bsky.social breaks down how the tobacco industry has avoided paying up
New story from @maria-perez.bsky.social breaks down how the tobacco industry has avoided paying up
why-most-countries-never-got-a-tobacco-settlement
Governments in the U.S. and Canada went to court and got tobacco companies to pay for smoking-related diseases. Many other lawsuits have failed.
www.theexamination.org
October 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Governments in 21 countries have sued the tobacco industry for the health costs of smoking - and only two have seen any money
New story from @maria-perez.bsky.social breaks down how the tobacco industry has avoided paying up
New story from @maria-perez.bsky.social breaks down how the tobacco industry has avoided paying up
Nearly seven million farmed birds have died in the US since September as a result of a bird flu resurgence
That includes 1.3 million turkeys, threatening the turkey supply ahead of Thanksgiving
That includes 1.3 million turkeys, threatening the turkey supply ahead of Thanksgiving
Bird Flu Is Back
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Nearly seven million farmed birds have died in the US since September as a result of a bird flu resurgence
That includes 1.3 million turkeys, threatening the turkey supply ahead of Thanksgiving
That includes 1.3 million turkeys, threatening the turkey supply ahead of Thanksgiving
The soda industry backed a campaign to turn MAGA against MAHA, including on state-level initiatives where MAHA has had more success
“President Trump literally has a Diet Coke button in his Oval Office,” one MAGA influencer who was paid by an industry group posted
“President Trump literally has a Diet Coke button in his Oval Office,” one MAGA influencer who was paid by an industry group posted
Inside the Republican network behind big soda’s bid to pit Maga against Maha
A Guardian investigation finds the US soda and snack-food industries, threatened by RFK Jr’s movement to change Americans’ eating habits, have turned to a group of well-connected strategists, shadowy ...
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The soda industry backed a campaign to turn MAGA against MAHA, including on state-level initiatives where MAHA has had more success
“President Trump literally has a Diet Coke button in his Oval Office,” one MAGA influencer who was paid by an industry group posted
“President Trump literally has a Diet Coke button in his Oval Office,” one MAGA influencer who was paid by an industry group posted
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
"An AP investigation found that the wave of legislation has cropped up in most states, pushed by people with close ties to HHS Secretary RFK, Jr. The effort would strip away protections that have been built over a century and are integral to American lives and society."
Anti-science bills hit statehouses, stripping away public health protections built over a century
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year.
apnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
"An AP investigation found that the wave of legislation has cropped up in most states, pushed by people with close ties to HHS Secretary RFK, Jr. The effort would strip away protections that have been built over a century and are integral to American lives and society."