Dr. Peter Lurie
@drpeterlurie.bsky.social
President of @cspinet.org, America’s food and health watchdog.
Previously: FDA, Public Citizen, and HIV policy research.
Previously: FDA, Public Citizen, and HIV policy research.
This level of contradiction is unacceptable given the Secretaries had clear, transparent, evidence-based recommendations at their disposal. While the meat and dairy industries may be excited about the new food pyramid, the American public should not be.
RFK, Jr. and Sec. Rollins just released the 2025–2030 DGAs, but amid some positive advice is guidance that is confusing at best and harmful at worst.
CSPI has created our own #UncompromisedDGAs that people like you can use to guide public health policy and inform your own individual decisions! 👇
CSPI has created our own #UncompromisedDGAs that people like you can use to guide public health policy and inform your own individual decisions! 👇
2025-2030 Uncompromised DGA
CSPI and the Center for Biological Diversity's Uncompromised Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) demonstrate what the Guidelines for healthy dietary patterns could have looked like if the Trump adm...
www.cspi.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:02 PM
This level of contradiction is unacceptable given the Secretaries had clear, transparent, evidence-based recommendations at their disposal. While the meat and dairy industries may be excited about the new food pyramid, the American public should not be.
From @propublica.org: a report from the Government Accountability Office shows that the FDA rarely uses its authority to pull dangerous medical devices off the market. The inquiry was requested in 2023 - and my concern is that the circumstances at FDA are now even worse than portrayed in the report.
The FDA Rarely Forces Manufacturers to Recall Dangerous Medical Devices, Watchdog Report Finds
Lawmakers requested the report after a 2023 ProPublica and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette investigation revealed that the FDA had received hundreds of complaints over many years about defective breathing mac...
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
From @propublica.org: a report from the Government Accountability Office shows that the FDA rarely uses its authority to pull dangerous medical devices off the market. The inquiry was requested in 2023 - and my concern is that the circumstances at FDA are now even worse than portrayed in the report.
The vote to overturn long-standing Hepatitis B vaccination recommendations guarantees an increase in serious vaccine-preventable illness — all without evidence of vaccine-induced harm.
Read my latest newsletter with colleagues @sarahd1.bsky.social, Josh Rising, MD, MPH, and @drjoshs.bsky.social.
Read my latest newsletter with colleagues @sarahd1.bsky.social, Josh Rising, MD, MPH, and @drjoshs.bsky.social.
Why did the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee vote to stop recommending the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns? We have the breakdown on this issue and more in our Straight Shot vaccine newsletter 👇💉
The Straight Shot: Federal vaccine updates - Dec 9, 2025
A regular update on emerging federal vaccine issues. On Dec. 9, 2025, this list—drawn from news reports and other information—ranks the most significant changes to vaccination policy, with brief comme...
www.cspi.org
December 10, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The vote to overturn long-standing Hepatitis B vaccination recommendations guarantees an increase in serious vaccine-preventable illness — all without evidence of vaccine-induced harm.
Read my latest newsletter with colleagues @sarahd1.bsky.social, Josh Rising, MD, MPH, and @drjoshs.bsky.social.
Read my latest newsletter with colleagues @sarahd1.bsky.social, Josh Rising, MD, MPH, and @drjoshs.bsky.social.
In previous FDAs, when the agency is approving a drug’s safety and effectiveness, lawmakers weren’t allowed to attend the approval meetings, as their presence could skew the outcome.
Recently, the FDA invited 2 Congresspeople to an approval meeting for a bladder cancer drug – before rescinding the invites after pushback from within the agency.
“Their presence would create enormous pressure on FDA employees to approve a product,” said CSPI President @drpeterlurie.bsky.social.
“Their presence would create enormous pressure on FDA employees to approve a product,” said CSPI President @drpeterlurie.bsky.social.
December 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
In previous FDAs, when the agency is approving a drug’s safety and effectiveness, lawmakers weren’t allowed to attend the approval meetings, as their presence could skew the outcome.
Good video by @kateschweitzer.bsky.social, who I spoke with about the safety, efficacy, and regulatory gray area of IV hydration spas.
IV hydration spas are a growing segment of the medical spa market but have been able to “slip between the cracks” of state and federal regulation.
A JAMA #MedicalNews article discusses the rise of IV hydration spas and the perceived benefits and known risks.
ja.ma/4p3FQnJ
A JAMA #MedicalNews article discusses the rise of IV hydration spas and the perceived benefits and known risks.
ja.ma/4p3FQnJ
November 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Good video by @kateschweitzer.bsky.social, who I spoke with about the safety, efficacy, and regulatory gray area of IV hydration spas.
Reposted by Dr. Peter Lurie
CSPI President @drpeterlurie.bsky.social spoke to @jama.com about the new trend of IV hydration spas and the concern about the risks of this growing markets that slips between the cracks of state and federal regulation and has the potential for significant adverse effects 👇
IV hydration spas are a growing segment of the medical spa market but have been able to “slip between the cracks” of state and federal regulation.
A JAMA #MedicalNews article discusses the rise of IV hydration spas and the perceived benefits and known risks.
ja.ma/4p3FQnJ
A JAMA #MedicalNews article discusses the rise of IV hydration spas and the perceived benefits and known risks.
ja.ma/4p3FQnJ
November 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
CSPI President @drpeterlurie.bsky.social spoke to @jama.com about the new trend of IV hydration spas and the concern about the risks of this growing markets that slips between the cracks of state and federal regulation and has the potential for significant adverse effects 👇
Tune in now to @the1a.org on NPR to hear me speak about RFK, Jr., supplement regulations, and more 👇
RFK Jr., the FDA, and supplement regulations
Why are so many Americans turning to health alternatives today?
the1a.org
October 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Tune in now to @the1a.org on NPR to hear me speak about RFK, Jr., supplement regulations, and more 👇
My latest in JAMA with @gostin.bsky.social. While the MAHA Commission’s goal of reducing chronic diseases is vital, its proposals are weak and unproven.
💬 Viewpoint: The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s strategy to address chronic diseases in children relies on weak, voluntary, and unsupported initiatives while neglecting proven, evidence-based public health interventions.
ja.ma/4nXOPXr
ja.ma/4nXOPXr
October 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
My latest in JAMA with @gostin.bsky.social. While the MAHA Commission’s goal of reducing chronic diseases is vital, its proposals are weak and unproven.
Reposted by Dr. Peter Lurie
💬 Viewpoint: The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s strategy to address chronic diseases in children relies on weak, voluntary, and unsupported initiatives while neglecting proven, evidence-based public health interventions.
ja.ma/4nXOPXr
ja.ma/4nXOPXr
October 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
💬 Viewpoint: The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s strategy to address chronic diseases in children relies on weak, voluntary, and unsupported initiatives while neglecting proven, evidence-based public health interventions.
ja.ma/4nXOPXr
ja.ma/4nXOPXr
As I say to @owermohle.bsky.social here, Means is monumentally unqualified for the job as Surgeon General. Even if she were qualified on paper, Means has taken some breathtakingly misinformed positions on matters of public health, including on birth control pills, raw milk, and the causes of autism.
Can Casey Means, Trump’s surgeon general pick, convince the country that RFK will Make America Healthy Again? | CNN Politics
The Stanford educated medical doctor has deep ties to MAHA but will have to convince senators and mainstream Americans of her qualifications as the nation’s top doctor.
www.cnn.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:22 PM
As I say to @owermohle.bsky.social here, Means is monumentally unqualified for the job as Surgeon General. Even if she were qualified on paper, Means has taken some breathtakingly misinformed positions on matters of public health, including on birth control pills, raw milk, and the causes of autism.
Reposted by Dr. Peter Lurie
RFK has mounted a full assault on @CDCgov-- slashing funding & staff, & and turned the agency into a political tool that can no longer be fully trusted on public health recommendations, especially vaccines.
Out today in JAMA Health Forum
Peter Lurie CSPI
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Out today in JAMA Health Forum
Peter Lurie CSPI
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Assault on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Budget Cuts, Political Control, and the Erosion of Trust
This JAMA Forum discusses measures the Trump administration has taken against the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that include budget cuts and program eliminations, workforce reductions ...
jamanetwork.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:53 PM
RFK has mounted a full assault on @CDCgov-- slashing funding & staff, & and turned the agency into a political tool that can no longer be fully trusted on public health recommendations, especially vaccines.
Out today in JAMA Health Forum
Peter Lurie CSPI
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Out today in JAMA Health Forum
Peter Lurie CSPI
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
The CDC is being severely weakened by the Trump administration, and with tightening political control, public trust in the CDC is diminishing. Read my latest in @jamahealthforum.com with colleague Larry Gostin.
Assault on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Budget Cuts, Political Control, and the Erosion of Trust
This JAMA Forum discusses measures the Trump administration has taken against the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that include budget cuts and program eliminations, workforce reductions ...
jamanetwork.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The CDC is being severely weakened by the Trump administration, and with tightening political control, public trust in the CDC is diminishing. Read my latest in @jamahealthforum.com with colleague Larry Gostin.
America's strip malls and Main Streets are filling up with these "hydration spas," with little evidence that they have any health benefits as well as little regulation at the state/federal level.
We are excited to share a recently published study in @jamainternalmed.com which investigates state-level policies related to intravenous (IV) hydration spa regulation. Information regarding the safety of IV spas is limited (1/5)
October 7, 2025 at 6:16 PM
America's strip malls and Main Streets are filling up with these "hydration spas," with little evidence that they have any health benefits as well as little regulation at the state/federal level.
Like the previous report, this should not be taken seriously as science. But as a political document, we have not seen the last of it.
Today, RFK, Jr., USDA, and other leaders at HHS released the final "MAHA" Report, but the only thing this plan seems to make healthy again is industry profits, while ignoring the actual causes of chronic diseases and proven interventions.
From CSPI president @drpeterlurie.bsky.social 👇
From CSPI president @drpeterlurie.bsky.social 👇
RFK, Jr.’s MAHA report favors voluntary industry action over regulation
www.cspi.org
September 9, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Like the previous report, this should not be taken seriously as science. But as a political document, we have not seen the last of it.
Secretary Kennedy is right that conflict of interest is an important issue, but he is wrong that it is present at substantial levels on HHS vaccine advisory committees.
At RFK, Jr.'s disastrous hearing yesterday, Senator Bill Cassidy cited a study co-authored by CSPI president @drpeterlurie.bsky.social and USC's @profgenkanter.bsky.social regarding conflicts of interest. Is RFK, Jr. right when he says that 97% of members of vaccine panels had conflicts of interest?
September 5, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Secretary Kennedy is right that conflict of interest is an important issue, but he is wrong that it is present at substantial levels on HHS vaccine advisory committees.
Reposted by Dr. Peter Lurie
At RFK, Jr.'s disastrous hearing yesterday, Senator Bill Cassidy cited a study co-authored by CSPI president @drpeterlurie.bsky.social and USC's @profgenkanter.bsky.social regarding conflicts of interest. Is RFK, Jr. right when he says that 97% of members of vaccine panels had conflicts of interest?
September 5, 2025 at 11:03 PM
At RFK, Jr.'s disastrous hearing yesterday, Senator Bill Cassidy cited a study co-authored by CSPI president @drpeterlurie.bsky.social and USC's @profgenkanter.bsky.social regarding conflicts of interest. Is RFK, Jr. right when he says that 97% of members of vaccine panels had conflicts of interest?
Secretary Kennedy has chosen to foist his own personal pet theories onto the whole country with his reckless campaign to undermine vaccines and public trust in them. Read my statement on the news coming out of the CDC 👇
RFK, Jr. is systematically dismantling the public health infrastructure that keeps us safe from pandemics and vaccine-responsive diseases like Covid-19.
CDC purge and Covid vaccine restrictions threaten public health
www.cspi.org
August 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Secretary Kennedy has chosen to foist his own personal pet theories onto the whole country with his reckless campaign to undermine vaccines and public trust in them. Read my statement on the news coming out of the CDC 👇
Nobody would put these panels forward as representing the general scientific opinion.
“'These meetings are a chance to advance RFK’s pet peeves — talc, antidepressants, fluoride — with people who have been handpicked,' said @drpeterlurie.bsky.social, [CSPI President]."
FDA's new expert panels are rife with financial conflicts and fringe views
A series of panels convened by the Food and Drug Administration is raising concerns that the agency is skirting federal rules and promoting fringe views about antidepressants and other products.
apnews.com
August 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Nobody would put these panels forward as representing the general scientific opinion.
Reposted by Dr. Peter Lurie
CSPI President @drpeterlurie.bsky.social appeared on CNN yesterday to discuss RFK Jr.'s stunning decision to pull $500 million in funding away from development of mRNA vaccines - a decision that will have far-reaching impacts beyond just vaccines for COVID.
Video source: CNN
Video source: CNN
August 7, 2025 at 1:55 PM
CSPI President @drpeterlurie.bsky.social appeared on CNN yesterday to discuss RFK Jr.'s stunning decision to pull $500 million in funding away from development of mRNA vaccines - a decision that will have far-reaching impacts beyond just vaccines for COVID.
Video source: CNN
Video source: CNN
The job of Surgeon General of the United States is not an entry-level position.
Today, CSPI joined with @publiccitizen.bsky.social to co-lead a letter, signed by over 30 other organizations, to urge U.S. senators to reject the nomination of health and wellness digital personality Casey Means for Surgeon General.
Dozens of advocacy, health, and consumer groups urge senators to reject Trump nominee Casey Means for U.S. Surgeon General
www.cspi.org
July 25, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The job of Surgeon General of the United States is not an entry-level position.
RFK, Jr. continues the trend of plucking new hires from unscientific spaces and placing them in positions where they can spread their fringe ideas on a national scale. So-called medical journals like the "Journal of the Academy of Public Health" are the canary in the coal mine here.
RFK Jr. Turns to Fringe Medical Journal to Find New Hires
George Tidmarsh is a millionaire co-founder of a biotech firm, serial entrepreneur, neonatologist and adjunct professor at Stanford University. But his part in creating a fringe medical journal is the...
www.bloomberg.com
July 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
RFK, Jr. continues the trend of plucking new hires from unscientific spaces and placing them in positions where they can spread their fringe ideas on a national scale. So-called medical journals like the "Journal of the Academy of Public Health" are the canary in the coal mine here.
“Restoring Gold Standard Science” is a move from the same toolbox as RFK, Jr.’s “radical transparency.” That is to say, it will do the exact opposite of what it says it will do. Excellent piece from @drdavidmichaels.bsky.social and Wendy Wagner.
Trump's "gold standard" for science gives political appointees—most of whom are not scientists—the authority to define scientific integrity and then decide which evidence counts and how it should be interpreted, David Michaels and Wendy Wagner argue:
Trump’s ‘Gold Standard’ for Science Manufactures Doubt
By emphasizing scientific uncertainty above other values, political appointees can block any regulatory action they want to.
bit.ly
July 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM
“Restoring Gold Standard Science” is a move from the same toolbox as RFK, Jr.’s “radical transparency.” That is to say, it will do the exact opposite of what it says it will do. Excellent piece from @drdavidmichaels.bsky.social and Wendy Wagner.
Just four months into his role as secretary, RFK, Jr. has already cast doubt on established science, fired staff across HHS, slashed funding for research, and pursued fringe health policies while showing no signs of producing and following scientific evidence that would improve the public's health.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Just four months into his role as secretary, RFK, Jr. has already cast doubt on established science, fired staff across HHS, slashed funding for research, and pursued fringe health policies while showing no signs of producing and following scientific evidence that would improve the public's health.
The FDA routinely allows substances to remain in foods long after evidence of harm emerges, but the Food Chemical Reassessment Act would ensure the FDA completes those evaluations in a timely manner and begins with chemicals that already have evidence of harm.
Consumers deserve to know that the foods they're eating are safe, but right now, thousands of harmful chemicals in our foods are going unchecked.
We must put the ‘F’ back in the FDA.
That's why @delauro.house.gov and I are introducing a bill to get toxic chemicals out of our foods.
We must put the ‘F’ back in the FDA.
That's why @delauro.house.gov and I are introducing a bill to get toxic chemicals out of our foods.
Schakowsky, DeLauro Introduce Legislation to Help Ensure the Food We Eat is Safe
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Ranking Member of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and U.S. Representativ...
schakowsky.house.gov
July 10, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The FDA routinely allows substances to remain in foods long after evidence of harm emerges, but the Food Chemical Reassessment Act would ensure the FDA completes those evaluations in a timely manner and begins with chemicals that already have evidence of harm.
More sleight of hand on “radical transparency” at HHS.
FDA today published complete response letters for 200 drugs, citing my research when I was at FDA. But they are only disclosing the CRLs for drugs that were subsequently approved – and these are already available on the FDA website. (1/2)
FDA today published complete response letters for 200 drugs, citing my research when I was at FDA. But they are only disclosing the CRLs for drugs that were subsequently approved – and these are already available on the FDA website. (1/2)
July 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
More sleight of hand on “radical transparency” at HHS.
FDA today published complete response letters for 200 drugs, citing my research when I was at FDA. But they are only disclosing the CRLs for drugs that were subsequently approved – and these are already available on the FDA website. (1/2)
FDA today published complete response letters for 200 drugs, citing my research when I was at FDA. But they are only disclosing the CRLs for drugs that were subsequently approved – and these are already available on the FDA website. (1/2)