Kevin Hall was at the agency for 21 years.
Researchers specializing in researching ultra-processed foods retired early from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for what they described as censorship by their superiors.
“Specifically, I have experienced censorship in reporting research, which I have experienced reporting our research due to the agency’s concern that it appears not entirely support the narrative of my agency’s leadership’s preconceived notions about ultra-highly processed food addiction,” he said.
Hall did not respond to requests from the Epoch Times for details.
During an appearance on Cable News, he said the first incident was a denial of his request when speaking to a scientific conference on ultra-processed food research.
Hall said he and scientists from various universities were working on reviews on ultra processed foods that were flagged during the NIH approval process to have a section on health equity or ultra processed foods “to target underprivileged communities.” Officials have said that in order to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order, that section must be edited or that he must remove himself as a co-author of the paper to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the government.
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“I hadn’t written that section, and I had no intention of censoring my colleagues, and I voluntarily deleted myself as an author,” Hall said on MSNBC.
The third incident concerns a study in which Hall and other researchers documented the effects of milkshakes on people’s brains as part of an effort to determine whether ultra-highly processed foods hijack the brain’s reward system in a similar way to addictive drugs. Hall said researchers found that milkshakes did not cause spikes of dopamine that the drugs do.
“The main conclusion of our paper is that these foods may be addictive to many people and we may need to understand that better, but they probably won’t work in the way many of us thought we were working in the past,” Hall said.
According to Hall, when reporters asked Hall to interview him, the request from government officials was denied and the planned press release was also denied.
Hall said he was given permission to answer questions via email, but saw that the agency compiled his answers in a way that he said he dismissed the researcher’s conclusions.
Hall is X, who not only said he recently wrote to NIH leaders, but also heads the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) but has received no response.
“Without peace of mind, our study had no continued censorship or interference. I felt compelled to accept early retirement to maintain health insurance for my family,” he said.
NIH did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
A spokesman for HHS, the NIH parent agency, told the press in a statement that Hall was distorting the facts.
“NIH scientists continue to interview their research through written responses and other means, and we are committed to promoting research on gold standards and promoting public health priorities,” the spokesman said. “An attempt to portray this as censorship is a deliberate distortion of fact.”
Kennedy is often spoken about ultra-processed foods. He said it was one of the confirmation hearings that he was the “major perpetrator” behind the chronic disease and obesity spikes recorded in the US in recent years.
“If confirmed, I will do everything with my strength to get America’s health back on track,” he said at the time.
The ultra-processed food location attracted support from both Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Hall said he was hoping to limit ultra-highly processed foods when he saw bipartisan support and support from the Health Secretary. He said he hopes to return to government one day to lead the research.
