The report’s approach is causing concern among public health advocates because it avoids strong, direct government regulation. Instead, it favors a strategy of private-sector collaboration and further research. For example, regarding pesticides, the report only promises to raise public awareness and partner with the private sector on new technology. This is seen by critics as a retreat from the kind of direct action needed to address major health issues, a sentiment that has led to disappointment among groups like Moms Across America.

The article highlights a key piece of data journalism that will be of particular interest to the dairy industry: the report suggests reintroducing whole milk into schools. This recommendation is a major win for some industry groups, such as the National Milk Producers Federation, but it directly contradicts decades of scientific evidence on children’s health. The move is a powerful illustration of the political and economic pressures at play in a government commission tasked with addressing complex public health issues.

This new report also contains a number of so-called “waffle words” and lacks concrete plans, according to nutritionist Marion Nestle. She criticizes the report for prioritizing more research over actual regulation. The report’s approach, which favors industry guidelines over government mandates, is reminiscent of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, an initiative that many public health experts believe had limited long-term success in addressing chronic health issues on a national scale.