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
The Trump administration shuts down SNAP-Ed, a nearly 50-year old nutrition education arm within the food stamps program
“There will be some losses in my community,” one beneficiary said. “We won’t have that guidance, or help in comparing quantity and quality when we shop for groceries.”
“There will be some losses in my community,” one beneficiary said. “We won’t have that guidance, or help in comparing quantity and quality when we shop for groceries.”
The End of SNAP-Ed Leaves Underserved Communities With Even Fewer Resources
SNAP-Ed, the country’s largest nutrition education program, was eliminated last fall. States are starting to feel the impact. Colorado is among the first.
civileats.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:08 PM
The Trump administration shuts down SNAP-Ed, a nearly 50-year old nutrition education arm within the food stamps program
“There will be some losses in my community,” one beneficiary said. “We won’t have that guidance, or help in comparing quantity and quality when we shop for groceries.”
“There will be some losses in my community,” one beneficiary said. “We won’t have that guidance, or help in comparing quantity and quality when we shop for groceries.”
A little-reported court ruling over the holidays paused a food dye ban in West Virginia, finding the law was likely to be found unconstitutionally vague
A potentially major setback for RFK Jr and MAHA, who count state-level food dye bans among their most concrete achievements
A potentially major setback for RFK Jr and MAHA, who count state-level food dye bans among their most concrete achievements
Court injunction pauses West Virginia colors law
A provision on school meals already had gone into effect.
www.foodbusinessnews.net
January 5, 2026 at 3:01 PM
A little-reported court ruling over the holidays paused a food dye ban in West Virginia, finding the law was likely to be found unconstitutionally vague
A potentially major setback for RFK Jr and MAHA, who count state-level food dye bans among their most concrete achievements
A potentially major setback for RFK Jr and MAHA, who count state-level food dye bans among their most concrete achievements
A deeply reported data dive by @andrewvandam.bsky.social uncovers a disturbing trend:
Malnutrition deaths are surging in America, driven by deaths among people who are 85 and older
Malnutrition deaths are surging in America, driven by deaths among people who are 85 and older
Column | Why are malnutrition deaths soaring in America?
According to data, malnutrition deaths have jumped in the United States, especially among those 85 and older. Here’s why the numbers suddenly started to rise.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:52 PM
A deeply reported data dive by @andrewvandam.bsky.social uncovers a disturbing trend:
Malnutrition deaths are surging in America, driven by deaths among people who are 85 and older
Malnutrition deaths are surging in America, driven by deaths among people who are 85 and older
🚨We're hiring! 🚨
@theexamination.org is seeking a reporter with a track record of impactful stories to join our food team
This is a great opportunity and feel free to message me with questions - I'll be working closely with this person and I'm excited to see our team grow!
@theexamination.org is seeking a reporter with a track record of impactful stories to join our food team
This is a great opportunity and feel free to message me with questions - I'll be working closely with this person and I'm excited to see our team grow!
Reporter
We investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more.
www.theexamination.org
December 23, 2025 at 3:35 PM
🚨We're hiring! 🚨
@theexamination.org is seeking a reporter with a track record of impactful stories to join our food team
This is a great opportunity and feel free to message me with questions - I'll be working closely with this person and I'm excited to see our team grow!
@theexamination.org is seeking a reporter with a track record of impactful stories to join our food team
This is a great opportunity and feel free to message me with questions - I'll be working closely with this person and I'm excited to see our team grow!
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
The US food safety system may be facing death by a thousand funding cuts, experts tell @sarah-todd.bsky.social
"All of these cuts that are not coherent are all working against each other"
"All of these cuts that are not coherent are all working against each other"
American food safety could be headed for a breakdown
More Americans will be exposed to foodborne illness as a result of this year's funding cuts, food safety experts predict
www.statnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:25 PM
The US food safety system may be facing death by a thousand funding cuts, experts tell @sarah-todd.bsky.social
"All of these cuts that are not coherent are all working against each other"
"All of these cuts that are not coherent are all working against each other"
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
New study finds another alarming consequence of climate change: crops becoming less nutritious
Researchers project a “significant” decrease in protein, zinc and iron in crops such as rice and wheat grown at higher CO2 levels
Researchers project a “significant” decrease in protein, zinc and iron in crops such as rice and wheat grown at higher CO2 levels
Food becoming more calorific but less nutritious due to rising carbon dioxide
Researchers noticed ‘dramatic’ changes in nutrients in crops, including drop in zinc and rise in lead
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
New study finds another alarming consequence of climate change: crops becoming less nutritious
Researchers project a “significant” decrease in protein, zinc and iron in crops such as rice and wheat grown at higher CO2 levels
Researchers project a “significant” decrease in protein, zinc and iron in crops such as rice and wheat grown at higher CO2 levels
Nigerian authorities shut down battery recycling factories and conduct blood testing for hundreds of people who live near them
Sweeping impact from @theexamination.org & @nytimes.com investigation of the poisonous lead trade
Sweeping impact from @theexamination.org & @nytimes.com investigation of the poisonous lead trade
Nigeria Closes Factories Linked to U.S. Auto Industry Amid Lead Poisoning Inquiry
Carmakers have known for decades that battery recycling was poisoning people abroad. Nigeria’s crackdown is an effort to catalog the damage.
www.theexamination.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Nigerian authorities shut down battery recycling factories and conduct blood testing for hundreds of people who live near them
Sweeping impact from @theexamination.org & @nytimes.com investigation of the poisonous lead trade
Sweeping impact from @theexamination.org & @nytimes.com investigation of the poisonous lead trade
Must-read series from @propublica.org painstakingly unravels what happened on the ground after Trump's foreign aid cuts
This story describes one mother's struggle to keep her children from dying of malnutrition after the US abruptly cut aid to her refugee camp
This story describes one mother's struggle to keep her children from dying of malnutrition after the US abruptly cut aid to her refugee camp
The Summer of Starvation: Amid Trump’s Foreign Aid Cuts, a Mother Struggles to Keep Her Sons Alive
After the Trump administration cut off food from the third-largest refugee camp in the world, thousands of families faced impossible choices as their children starved.
www.propublica.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Must-read series from @propublica.org painstakingly unravels what happened on the ground after Trump's foreign aid cuts
This story describes one mother's struggle to keep her children from dying of malnutrition after the US abruptly cut aid to her refugee camp
This story describes one mother's struggle to keep her children from dying of malnutrition after the US abruptly cut aid to her refugee camp
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
NEW: Without USAID funding to help buy food for refugees, the World Food Program rushed to prioritize families based on need, determining that only half the population would get food.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death
“Brutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.
www.propublica.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: Without USAID funding to help buy food for refugees, the World Food Program rushed to prioritize families based on need, determining that only half the population would get food.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
“because dietary supplements aren’t reviewed before they’re sold, the products can contain different amounts of ingredients than what’s listed on the label — or ingredients not listed at all.”
And now they want to relax warning labels for dietary supplements
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
And now they want to relax warning labels for dietary supplements
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
FDA says it may relax warning label rule for dietary supplements
Supplements aren’t reviewed for safety and effectiveness, but disclaimers about health benefits are required on products.
www.nbcnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:54 PM
“because dietary supplements aren’t reviewed before they’re sold, the products can contain different amounts of ingredients than what’s listed on the label — or ingredients not listed at all.”
And now they want to relax warning labels for dietary supplements
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
And now they want to relax warning labels for dietary supplements
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Could concerns about health decrease demand for ultraprocessed snack foods?
PepsiCo is betting the opposite, and making a major investment in fortified snacks with fewer artificial ingredients - like the 2026 launch of Doritos Protein - to lift its growth “into an algorithm level”
PepsiCo is betting the opposite, and making a major investment in fortified snacks with fewer artificial ingredients - like the 2026 launch of Doritos Protein - to lift its growth “into an algorithm level”
PepsiCo banks on food business rebound
Frito-Lay investments expected to lift PepsiCo Foods North America.
www.foodbusinessnews.net
December 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Could concerns about health decrease demand for ultraprocessed snack foods?
PepsiCo is betting the opposite, and making a major investment in fortified snacks with fewer artificial ingredients - like the 2026 launch of Doritos Protein - to lift its growth “into an algorithm level”
PepsiCo is betting the opposite, and making a major investment in fortified snacks with fewer artificial ingredients - like the 2026 launch of Doritos Protein - to lift its growth “into an algorithm level”
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
"In a corner conference room, it was time to party. They traded congratulatory speeches and cut into a sheet cake."
Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera.
Behind closed doors in Washington, top advisers made a series of decisions that had devastating repercussions for the poorest country on earth. We went to South Sudan and found people who died as a re...
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:23 PM
"In a corner conference room, it was time to party. They traded congratulatory speeches and cut into a sheet cake."
At the bidding of Phillip Morris International, EU officials fought antismoking policies in Turkey and Mexico, a new investigation by @theexamination.org reveals
“We would like to express our gratitude in regard of the actions that you took,” PMI wrote to EU staff
“We would like to express our gratitude in regard of the actions that you took,” PMI wrote to EU staff
EU officials acted to aid tobacco giant abroad, documents show
The EU’s actions were a “great help,” Philip Morris International said in an email.
www.theexamination.org
December 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
At the bidding of Phillip Morris International, EU officials fought antismoking policies in Turkey and Mexico, a new investigation by @theexamination.org reveals
“We would like to express our gratitude in regard of the actions that you took,” PMI wrote to EU staff
“We would like to express our gratitude in regard of the actions that you took,” PMI wrote to EU staff
Brazil's Agriculture Ministry is trying to remove mentions of deforestation, pesticides and environmental conflict from Brazil's national climate plan, reveals a memo obtained by @reporterbrasil.org.br
The memo says the references are "ideological" and "harmful to the image of agriculture"
The memo says the references are "ideological" and "harmful to the image of agriculture"
Ministério da Agricultura tenta remover menção a agrotóxicos do Plano Clima
Documento com o pedido inclui críticas a trechos sobre desmatamento e conflitos socioambientais e teria sido redigido em conjunto com a Frente Parlamentar da Agropecuária e o Instituto Pensar Agro, br...
reporterbrasil.org.br
December 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Brazil's Agriculture Ministry is trying to remove mentions of deforestation, pesticides and environmental conflict from Brazil's national climate plan, reveals a memo obtained by @reporterbrasil.org.br
The memo says the references are "ideological" and "harmful to the image of agriculture"
The memo says the references are "ideological" and "harmful to the image of agriculture"
Most state level policies on ultra-processed foods only address food dyes - but less than 10% of packaged UPFs include dyes
Eye-opening column in NYT...
Eye-opening column in NYT...
This year, 15 states have proposed targeting ultraprocessed foods through school bans or labels.
The catch? Most have very narrowly defined UPFs as food containing certain additives.
This may create confusion and a false sense of progress. #FoodPolicy
Learn more from @lindseytaillie.bsky.social:
The catch? Most have very narrowly defined UPFs as food containing certain additives.
This may create confusion and a false sense of progress. #FoodPolicy
Learn more from @lindseytaillie.bsky.social:
Opinion | Can We Agree Kids Don’t Need Doritos at School?
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Most state level policies on ultra-processed foods only address food dyes - but less than 10% of packaged UPFs include dyes
Eye-opening column in NYT...
Eye-opening column in NYT...
Faced with surging beef prices, Trump admin creates high level task force, probes monopolistic practices by meatpackers and even considers opening southern border to cattle imports
What WSJ doesn't mention: deregulation and rollback of food safety standards have not delivered cheaper beef
What WSJ doesn't mention: deregulation and rollback of food safety standards have not delivered cheaper beef
Exclusive | Trump Tasks Top Advisers With Finding Way to Lower Soaring Beef Prices
The Trump administration is prodding ranchers and meatpackers to do something about soaring beef prices, while looking at increasing imports from Mexico and South America.
www.wsj.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Faced with surging beef prices, Trump admin creates high level task force, probes monopolistic practices by meatpackers and even considers opening southern border to cattle imports
What WSJ doesn't mention: deregulation and rollback of food safety standards have not delivered cheaper beef
What WSJ doesn't mention: deregulation and rollback of food safety standards have not delivered cheaper beef
When Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh saw children being hospitalized for dehydration after consuming falsely labeled "rehydration" energy drinks, she demanded Indian health authorities strike these claims from their labels
Eight years later, she finally won
Eight years later, she finally won
India: Mislabeled Energy Drinks Banned Thanks to Doctor's Campaign
When mislabeled rehydration products landed her young patients in the hospital, Sivaranjani Santosh spent eight years pushing regulators to act.
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
When Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh saw children being hospitalized for dehydration after consuming falsely labeled "rehydration" energy drinks, she demanded Indian health authorities strike these claims from their labels
Eight years later, she finally won
Eight years later, she finally won
Brazil places a division of meatpacking giant JBS on the "Dirty List" for slave labor, following an order by a judge
The dispute emerged after a federal inspection found modern slavery conditions in JBS's supply chain, but a cabinet minister intervened to keep them off the list
The dispute emerged after a federal inspection found modern slavery conditions in JBS's supply chain, but a cabinet minister intervened to keep them off the list
Justiça manda governo Lula incluir JBS na 'lista suja' do trabalho escravo
Além da JBS Aves, a Justiça do Trabalho também determinou que o governo federal inclua outras duas empresas no cadastro de empregadores responsabilizados por trabalho análogo ao de escravo; decisão ca...
reporterbrasil.org.br
December 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Brazil places a division of meatpacking giant JBS on the "Dirty List" for slave labor, following an order by a judge
The dispute emerged after a federal inspection found modern slavery conditions in JBS's supply chain, but a cabinet minister intervened to keep them off the list
The dispute emerged after a federal inspection found modern slavery conditions in JBS's supply chain, but a cabinet minister intervened to keep them off the list
Meat loaf. Frosted Flakes. Frozen pizza.
As the cost of living soars, people who can least afford it are regularly being overcharged on basic food items by dollar stores that fail to honor their sticker prices
Great work by @barryyeoman.com @jocelynzuck.bsky.social
As the cost of living soars, people who can least afford it are regularly being overcharged on basic food items by dollar stores that fail to honor their sticker prices
Great work by @barryyeoman.com @jocelynzuck.bsky.social
How the dollar-store industry overcharges cash-strapped customers while promising low prices
A Guardian investigation reveals Dollar General and Family Dollar stores often fail to honor their shelf prices – charging more at checkout for everything from frying pans to Frosted Flakes
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Meat loaf. Frosted Flakes. Frozen pizza.
As the cost of living soars, people who can least afford it are regularly being overcharged on basic food items by dollar stores that fail to honor their sticker prices
Great work by @barryyeoman.com @jocelynzuck.bsky.social
As the cost of living soars, people who can least afford it are regularly being overcharged on basic food items by dollar stores that fail to honor their sticker prices
Great work by @barryyeoman.com @jocelynzuck.bsky.social
The Trump administration is threatening SNAP funds again, this time in 21 blue states that are refusing to share certain data on recipients that they say would violate privacy laws
Trump says the data is needed to root out fraud, a judge has previously ruled in the states' favor
Trump says the data is needed to root out fraud, a judge has previously ruled in the states' favor
Food Policy Tracker
The Civil Eats Food Policy Tracker is your daily, go-to source for actions taken by the President, federal agencies, and Congress that directly relate to or have significant implications for the food ...
civileats.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The Trump administration is threatening SNAP funds again, this time in 21 blue states that are refusing to share certain data on recipients that they say would violate privacy laws
Trump says the data is needed to root out fraud, a judge has previously ruled in the states' favor
Trump says the data is needed to root out fraud, a judge has previously ruled in the states' favor
San Francisco files sweeping lawsuit against 11 leading food corporations, alleging that they knowingly sold harmful products and used "unfair and deceptive" tactics
A similar private class action suit in PA was dismissed earlier this year
A similar private class action suit in PA was dismissed earlier this year
San Francisco Sues Food Makers Over Ultraprocessed Products
Food-company stocks sag after city alleges several suppliers knowingly manufacture and market harmful foods.
www.wsj.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
San Francisco files sweeping lawsuit against 11 leading food corporations, alleging that they knowingly sold harmful products and used "unfair and deceptive" tactics
A similar private class action suit in PA was dismissed earlier this year
A similar private class action suit in PA was dismissed earlier this year
ICYMI: three part series in @thelancet.com tackles ultra-processed foods and their health effects, finding that rise of UPFs is a "key driver of the escalating global burden of multiple diet-related chronic diseases"
Part 3 below cites @theexamination.org's work on anti-diet influencers
Part 3 below cites @theexamination.org's work on anti-diet influencers
Towards unified global action on ultra-processed foods: understanding commercial determinants, countering corporate power, and mobilising a public health response
The rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in human diets is harming global public health.
However, policy responses are still emerging—much like tobacco control efforts decades
ago—indicating the need ...
www.thelancet.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:31 PM
ICYMI: three part series in @thelancet.com tackles ultra-processed foods and their health effects, finding that rise of UPFs is a "key driver of the escalating global burden of multiple diet-related chronic diseases"
Part 3 below cites @theexamination.org's work on anti-diet influencers
Part 3 below cites @theexamination.org's work on anti-diet influencers
The government of Nigeria's Ogun state said it will offer free lead poisoning to residents of Ogijo, a town at the heart of the lead battery recycling industry
Important impact from @theexamination.org, @premiumtimes.bsky.social, @nytimes.com's investigation
Important impact from @theexamination.org, @premiumtimes.bsky.social, @nytimes.com's investigation
Lead Poisoning: Ogun Govt to conduct free lead test for Ogijo residents after PREMIUM TIMES/The Examination report
The new development follows a PREMIUM TIMES/The Examinatin report that documented cases of lead poisoning in the community.
www.premiumtimesng.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:25 PM
The government of Nigeria's Ogun state said it will offer free lead poisoning to residents of Ogijo, a town at the heart of the lead battery recycling industry
Important impact from @theexamination.org, @premiumtimes.bsky.social, @nytimes.com's investigation
Important impact from @theexamination.org, @premiumtimes.bsky.social, @nytimes.com's investigation