The Trump administration is currently launching a new initiative aimed at improving the quality of food on U.S. military bases. A recent study found that the nutritional content of food on these bases is insufficient and contains harmful pollutants.
According to the study commissioned by Moms Across America, in collaboration with the Children’s Health Defense Military Chapter and Centner Academy, 100% of sampled military meals, including Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs), ration packs, and other cafeteria food, tested positive for pesticides.
The study also found elevated levels of heavy metals in the food, exceeding safety standards for drinking water, and detected the presence of glyphosate and banned animal drugs.
Zen Honeycutt, founder and executive director of Moms Across America, expressed concerns during an interview on the podcast “Raising America,” stating, “Unfortunately, these pesticides are 100% from China and contain heavy metals, some of which are even 17,000 times higher than the drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”
She added, “The five animal drugs and hormones we found in military rations are either not allowed or banned in most countries, including one that is a poultry contraceptive. 95% of samples contained the carcinogen glyphosate, which can cause hormonal disruption and neurological damage.”
These organizations emphasize that they came up with the idea to test military food after learning that China does not provide genetically modified food to its military and Russia does not allow GMOs into its territory.
Currently, these groups are actively advocating for the U.S. Department of Defense to transition to “regenerative and organic agricultural practices” to ensure the food supply for military base personnel and students, with estimates suggesting that only a small portion of the department’s trillion-dollar budget would be needed to achieve this goal.
In the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA), there is budget and regulatory support for food quality, including the construction of new cafeterias, enhanced transparency and oversight for Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) usage to ensure funds are used solely for soldier nutrition, and promoting optimized procurement processes.
Moms Across America learned from the Department of Health and Human Services that 20 military bases are planning to launch a “Real Food Pilot Program” in the next two months to improve dietary quality.
In addition, Michael Obadal, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Army, announced last week that the Army will implement a campus-style dining model in all of its training centers.
The military plans to transform traditional “mess hall” cafeterias into diversified dining centers resembling restaurants. This transformation includes extended operating hours to align with modern soldier training schedules, offering diverse choices with multiple food stations akin to food courts or modern eateries, with the first pilot sites set to launch in Fort Carson, Colorado in the spring of 2026.
Obadal stated, “Previously popular Army dining facilities had operating hours that did not align with our modern training cycles, leading our soldiers to rely on low-nutrient processed foods, so we have shifted to a franchised restaurant-style model.”
He emphasized, “Our mission is to ensure that U.S. soldiers become the most vibrant, robust, and lethal military force on the planet.”
Since the start of President Trump’s second term, the military healthcare system has been undergoing comprehensive reform, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth implementing stricter physical fitness standards for service members.
These civilian organizations are also urging lawmakers, federal regulatory agencies, and the Trump administration to review pesticide regulations and labeling requirements, and to push for potential modifications to agricultural legislation.
The Department of Health and Human Services has begun reshaping U.S. national nutrition policies, launching updated dietary guidelines in January, introducing a new “food pyramid” that prioritizes protein, healthy fats, dairy, fruits, and vegetables at the top, with whole grains at the base.
Groups like Moms Across America stated in a press release, “The current government is making historic commitments to change the American food system and health status, encompassing meal programs for schools and prisons.”