Peter Lurie Journalist Profile

Articles

It’s not hard to see through RFK Jr.’s ‘radical transparency’ pledge

3 weeks ago | washingtonpost.com | Peter Lurie |Aaron S. Kesselheim |Joshua M. Sharfstein

It’s not hard to see through RFK Jr.’s ‘radical transparency’ pledge (washingtonpost.com) It’s not hard to see through RFK Jr.’s ‘radical transparency’ pledge By Peter Lurie; Aaron Kesselheim; Joshua Sharfstein 2025042410300300 In his inaugural speech upon taking over as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F.
Can a New Commission Make America Healthy Again?

1 month ago | jamanetwork.com | Lawrence O. Gostin |Sarah Wetter |Peter Lurie

On February 13, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order establishing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) commission, a government-wide initiative focused on decreasing chronic diseases. The MAHA commission is chaired by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and is directed to produce a Make Our Children Healthy Again assessment within 100 days, followed by a strategy within 180 days.
CSPI celebrates FDA front-of-package nutrition labeling proposal

Jan 14, 2025 | cspinet.org | Peter Lurie

Today, the Food and Drug Administration published a proposed rule to require new labels on food packages to help Americans select healthier foods and avoid diet-related disease. The policy requires that packaged foods bear labels prominently disclosing whether they are “High,” “Medium,” or “Low” in sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat, three nutrients that are overconsumed by Americans and linked to preventable chronic diseases.
FTC wins verdict blocking Kroger-Albertson’s mega-merger-for now

Dec 10, 2024 | cspinet.org | Peter Lurie

The last thing Americans need right now is higher food prices, fewer grocery stores, and less retailer competition. And that’s exactly what the proposed mega-merger of the Kroger and Albertsons supermarket chains would have delivered to consumers. The verdict handed down today by Judge Adrienne Nelson, siding with the Federal Trade Commission in its case to block this merger, is good news for these chains’ customers and employees, especially those who are experiencing nutrition or food insecurity.
USDA, HHS should follow new advice of Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Dec 10, 2024 | cspinet.org | Peter Lurie

Overall, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's report is evidence-based and grounded in a systematic and transparent process. The committee’s advice would strengthen the Dietary Guidelines by emphasizing consumption of fruits, vegetables, plant-based proteins, and whole grains, while limiting red or processed meat, refined grains, and foods high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar.
Mehmet Oz unqualified to run Medicare and Medicaid

Nov 19, 2024 | cspinet.org | Peter Lurie

Statement of CSPI President Dr. Peter G. LurieThe nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would be a shocking nomination under normal circumstances. But in the context of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s, nomination to lead HHS, the CMS parent agency, it makes perfect sense: It’s as if Donald Trump is poised to turn over control of our vital health and medical agencies to a clown car full of unqualified quacks.
CSPI opposes nomination of RFK Jr for HHS Secretary

Nov 14, 2024 | cspinet.org | Peter Lurie

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is not remotely qualified for the role and should be nowhere near the science-based agencies that safeguard our nutrition, food safety, and health. Nominating an anti-vaxxer like Kennedy to HHS is like putting a Flat Earther at the head of NASA. CSPI opposes this nomination and any other nominees who are a direct threat to science and evidence-based solutions.
FDA proposes ban on ineffective decongestant phenylephrine

Nov 7, 2024 | cspinet.org | Peter Lurie

A big part of the FDA’s mandate is to ensure that the over-the-counter drugs on the market are both safe and effective. Yet the oral decongestant phenylephrine has remained in dozens of formulations of cold medicine despite there being no evidence that it actually works. In fact, the drug does not even reach the bloodstream in a meaningful way as 99 percent of it is metabolized and never gets that far.
USDA finalizes revisions to the WIC food package

Apr 9, 2024 | cspinet.org | Peter Lurie

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, and health care referrals to over 6 million women, infants, and children who are at nutritional risk.
CSPI urges Congress to remove industry-serving riders blocking progress on sodium reduction from FY24 Appropriations Bill

Mar 4, 2024 | cspinet.org | Peter Lurie

Statement of CSPI President Dr. Peter G. LurieCongress included two devastating policy riders that halt needed, evidence-based sodium reduction efforts in their tracks in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill it released yesterday. The first rider limits the Food and Drug Administration’s ability to advance long-term voluntary sodium reduction targets for industry and underfunds the agency to boot.