Rachel Roubein

Rachel Roubein

@rachelroubein.bsky.social

Washington Post reporter focused on policy and politics. Reach me securely on Signal: RachelRoubein.28

1.7K followers27 following64 posts

Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

New: The FDA has rarely inspected the foreign facilities exporting the vast majority of fresh fruits & vegetables to the U.S., per WaPo investigation. Only 7.6% of the facilities have been inspected by the agency since 2009. With @caitlingilbert.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comThe FDA rarely inspects much of the produce Americans eatAmericans are eating more imported fruits and vegetables, but less than 10 percent of facilities that account for 90 percent of shipments have been inspected since 2009.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Washington Post Data Team
@wpdatateam.bsky.social

Since 2009 the FDA has inspected only about 2% of the facilities in Mexico that ship produce to the U.S., a Post investigation found. "That’s a big concern for anybody who eats food in America." By @caitlingilbert.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comThe FDA rarely inspects much of the produce Americans eatAmericans are eating more imported fruits and vegetables, but less than 10 percent of facilities that account for 90 percent of shipments have been inspected since 2009.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Caitlin Gilbert
@caitlingilbert.bsky.social

NEW: Americans are eating more imported fruit and vegetables than ever before, but only 7.6% of major produce exporters have been inspected by the agency since 2009–and that rate is only about ~2%~ for Mexican fresh produce exporters with @rachelroubein.bsky.social wapo.st/4BoiOz3

wapo.stThe FDA rarely inspects much of the produce Americans eatAmericans are eating more imported fruits and vegetables, but less than 10 percent of facilities that account for 90 percent of shipments have been inspected since 2009.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

New: The Post obtained RFK Jr.'s draft response to Kessler's petition in which he concluded food companies should provide "any detailed safety studies" about certain core ingredients in ultra-processed foods. wapo.st/3T2NPY0

wapo.stWhite House has not acted on RFK Jr.’s push for proof ultra-processed foods are safeA draft letter obtained by The Post shows Kennedy’s favorable response to a petition that food experts said could lead to significant changes for the industry.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

“We want to see any information that proves these ingredients at the quantities they are being added to the food supply should still be generally considered safe," according to a March draft of a letter that the secretary sent to the White House for review.

Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

But for months, the potential push has been slow-walked at the White House, according to two people familiar with the matter. HHS said the notion that Kennedy’s MAHA food agenda has been “stalled or slow walked is false.”

Rachel Roubein reposted

Caitlin Gilbert
@caitlingilbert.bsky.social

exclusive from @lenasun.bsky.social and @rachelroubein.bsky.social: states will be able to order Covid vax for kids as soon as next week, through the CDC program that serves half of American children www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comStates can soon order covid vaccines for low-income children, after delayThe Vaccines for Children program, which serves nearly half the nation’s youths, had been in limbo for almost a month, with doctors unable to obtain the shots.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

More here ⬇️ bsky.app/profile/ddia...

Dan Diamond@ddiamond.bsky.social

Exclusive: The White House has given RFK Jr access to military aircraft as the health secretary has criss-crossed the country. RFK Jr used private flight to join GOP candidates in Iowa last month. w @rachelroubein.bsky.social @abtran.bsky.social

washingtonpost.comRFK Jr. uses military aircraft as he campaigns for GOP in midtermsThe White House and Department of Health and Human Services lawyers signed off on the plan to let the health secretary use military jets, five people said.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Dan Diamond
@ddiamond.bsky.social

Exclusive: The White House has given RFK Jr access to military aircraft as the health secretary has criss-crossed the country. RFK Jr used private flight to join GOP candidates in Iowa last month. w @rachelroubein.bsky.social @abtran.bsky.social

washingtonpost.comRFK Jr. uses military aircraft as he campaigns for GOP in midtermsThe White House and Department of Health and Human Services lawyers signed off on the plan to let the health secretary use military jets, five people said.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

New: Federal officials are poised to declare end of nation’s largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak after thousands of people became sick after eating shredded iceberg lettuce. Timing could come as soon as later today but not guaranteed. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comFederal officials poised to declare end of U.S.’s largest known cyclosporiasis outbreakThousands of people became sick after eating shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Lena Sun
@lenasun.bsky.social

NEW: The CDC is excluding two deaths reported by Pennsylvania from the agency’s weekly update on measles dashboard, a decision that came from new CDC director Erica Schwartz, per sources. Me and @Rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comNew CDC director delays adding Pennsylvania deaths to measles dataThe deaths have been at the heart of a bitter political dispute between RFK Jr. and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D).

Rachel Roubein reposted

Caitlin Gilbert
@caitlingilbert.bsky.social

NEW: Shapiro + RFK Jr. are feuding over measles—Kennedy and his allies are attacking Dems after a coroner said measles didn’t play a role in the death of a newborn, while MMR rates in Lancaster have plunged from 94% to 87% since 2019. wapo.st/4xpgDsi @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social

wapo.stMeasles’ role in child’s death ignites fight between RFK Jr. and Pennsylvania governorA county coroner said that the pathologist who examined a newborn who tested positive for measles did not believe the virus played a role in the baby’s death.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

The MAGA-MAHA alliance helped carry Trump to the White House. It handed RFK Jr. control of the nation’s health agencies. But MAHA frustration has been building over weedkillers, anger that is being directed at Trump's FDA nominee. With @ddiamond.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comA rift over a weed killer is dividing a pro-Trump allianceInfluential MAHA activists are channeling their anger over pesticides at Heidi Overton, a top aide the president picked to lead the FDA.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Dan Diamond
@ddiamond.bsky.social

The White House struggled to find an FDA commissioner, but they have a pick — HEIDI OVERTON, who's been serving as one of Trump's domestic policy advisers. Many outside candidates turned them down. More TK with @rachelroubein.bsky.social

washingtonpost.comTrump expected to pick White House aide to lead FDAHeidi Overton works on the White House's Domestic Policy Council. She would replace Marty Makary, who resigned in May after months of turmoil at the agency.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Caitlin Gilbert
@caitlingilbert.bsky.social

🥬💩NEW from @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social and me on the FDA finally visiting the Taylor Farms facility—I was personally shocked at just how much food has been impacted by this one supplier so we made these charts to put that into context. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Rachel Roubein@rachelroubein.bsky.social

FDA investigators are now in Mexico nearly a month after federal officials linked Taylor Farms’ lettuce to the nation’s largest cyclospora outbreak. Inspecting the processing plant now, fields next. w/ @lenasun.bsky.social @caitlingilbert.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comFDA in Mexico a month after linking Taylor Farms to cyclospora outbreakSenior FDA official confirms that inspectors were on-site at the Taylor Farms processing facility and plan to be in the fields next.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

Some food safety experts said the FDA should have gone sooner. Top agency food official tells us FDA first needed to reconstruct conditions that existed when the lettuce was grown and harvested. The comments reflect the FDA’s latest account of the investigation.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Dan Diamond
@ddiamond.bsky.social

BREAKING — Trump is planning to sign an executive order today that calls for spacing out childhood vaccines, breaking the MMR into three separate shots and making other key vaccine changes. @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social

washingtonpost.comTrump administration order would upend nation’s childhood vaccine scheduleThe president has pushed to narrow which vaccines are administered to children and split shots up into multiple appointments.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

RFK Jr. slated to unveil plan today targeting GRAS loophole that allows chemicals in food supply without notifying federal regulators, according to ppl familiar with the matter. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comRFK Jr. slated to unveil plan targeting loophole that allows chemicals in food supplyThe practice known as “generally recognized as safe” allows companies to self-certify the safety of certain food chemicals or substances without strict government oversight.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

icymi: FDA officials raised conflict of interest concerns ahead of new peptide panel slated to meet this week. Despite the flags, HHS chose multiple panelists who promote peptides, an unusual process given FDA staff typically pick their advisers. wapo.st/4wQFIf9

wapo.stFDA raised conflict of interest concerns ahead of new peptide panelThat panel will meet to weigh whether the agency should allow Americans to have broader access to seven injectable peptides previously restricted over potential safety concerns.

Rachel Roubein reposted

The Washington Post
@washingtonpost.com

Exclusive: Investigators have linked shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants by Taylor Farms as a potential source of contamination in the outbreak of a parasitic illness that has sickened thousands in United States.

washingtonpost.comLettuce supplier is potential source of cyclosporiasis outbreak, investigators sayThousands have been sickened in the outbreak of cyclosporiasis, which has been largely concentrated in southeastern Michigan.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

Among our findings: — Federal officials exploring re-creating ACIP — An effort to create a new CDC Office of Science — NIH urging scientists to do vaccine injury research — Analysis of data from a surveillance system remains in hands of health orgs bsky.app/profile/lena...

Lena Sun@lenasun.bsky.social

NEW: RFK’s public effort to revamp US policy has quieted. But outside public eye, RFK + allies are embedding his agenda in institutions that decide what vaccines get studied, who does the research, and how that becomes policy. @rachelroubein.bsky.social 1/2 www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comInside the push to keep RFK Jr.’s vaccine agenda aliveThe public effort to revamp U.S. vaccine policy has quieted. Behind the scenes is a different story.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Lena Sun
@lenasun.bsky.social

NEW: White House initially pushed aggressive monitoring of US hantavirus passengers who left Nebraska facility to finish quarantine at home, incl posting armed guards outside homes, before backing off. W @Bradydennis.bsky.social @RachelRoubein.bsky.Social 1/2 www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comOfficials divided over monitoring of hantavirus passengers who could soon return homeWhite House officials have been pushing for aggressive monitoring at home for those who return from the quarantine facility, but has retreated from initial proposals. Negotiations are ongoing with sta...
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

RFK Jr. wanted a health overhaul led by outsiders. Now some are gone, raising concerns from some MAHA allies about his influence. — Some officials argue leaders, like Wiles, are committed to MAHA & changes are to reduce "unnecessary noise" With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & @ddiamond.bsky.social

washingtonpost.comRFK Jr. promised a health overhaul led by outsiders. Now many are gone.Trump officials have increasingly swapped out RFK Jr.’s handpicked deputies for people with more traditional experience, seeking to tamp down on health agencies’ controversies ahead of the midterms.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

A plea to Joe Rogan. An appeal to Trump: How Republicans came to embrace psychedelics Veterans and high-ranking officials, like RFK Jr., have pushed the issue. Policy proposals had been sketched out months before Trump sought to elevate the issue www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comHow Republicans came to embrace psychedelic drugsAfter decades of backing a “war on drugs,” the GOP has warmed to psychedelics for mental health treatment as high-profile backers and veterans tout the drugs.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

Casey Means blamed senators for blocking her nomination, calling it an "act of aggression" against MAHA. Saphier has been openly critical of some of Kennedy's moves on vaccines and Tylenol announcement. @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/laur...

x.comLauren Weber on X: "Trump pulled Casey Means's embattled nomination for surgeon general. Means told us it came down to "three disgruntled senators" and doesn't represent MAHA's momentum. New pick Nicole Saphier has criticized RFK Jr.'s moves w/ @rachel_roubein @ddiamond https://t.co/FiBizYF8zc" / XTrump pulled Casey Means's embattled nomination for surgeon general. Means told us it came down to "three disgruntled senators" and doesn't represent MAHA's momentum. New pick Nicole Saphier has criticized RFK Jr.'s moves w/ @rachel_roubein @ddiamond https://t.co/FiBizYF8zc
Lauren Weber@laurenweberhp.bsky.social

Trump pulled Casey Means's nomination for surgeon general Means said it came down to "three disgruntled senators" & doesn't represent MAHA's momentum New pick Nicole Saphier has criticized RFK Jr.'s moves w @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comTrump drops embattled surgeon general pick Casey Means, announces new nomineeNicole Saphier, Trump’s third pick for the role, is a radiologist and longtime Fox News contributor. Means’s nomination stalled as some Republicans questioned her credentials and stance on vaccination...

Rachel Roubein reposted

Lauren Weber
@laurenweberhp.bsky.social

Trump pulled Casey Means's nomination for surgeon general Means said it came down to "three disgruntled senators" & doesn't represent MAHA's momentum New pick Nicole Saphier has criticized RFK Jr.'s moves w @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comTrump drops embattled surgeon general pick Casey Means, announces new nomineeNicole Saphier, Trump’s third pick for the role, is a radiologist and longtime Fox News contributor. Means’s nomination stalled as some Republicans questioned her credentials and stance on vaccination...

Rachel Roubein reposted

Lauren Weber
@laurenweberhp.bsky.social

Top GOP senators Bill Cassidy and John Barrasso, both physicians, pressed RFK Jr. on vaccines amid his controversial moves. After the hearing, Cassidy told reporters the secretary’s remarks on immunizations were “illuminating.” Updated w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social below @washingtonpost.com

Lauren Weber@laurenweberhp.bsky.social

RFK Jr. ends his blitz of congressional hearings with chief GOP antagonist Sen. Bill Cassidy Unpacked with @rachelroubein.bsky.social the political dynamics at play amid their public meeting ahead of the midterms Check back for updates here: www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comRFK Jr. to face his chief GOP antagonist in final budget hearing blitzSen. Bill Cassidy has accused the health secretary of “effectively” denying Americans the coronavirus vaccine and asked top officials to promote vaccination.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

KitKat, Gatorade or granola bars? Pushed by RFK Jr., what’s banned under new food stamp rules has been mixed, leading to maze of new restrictions. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comKitKat, Gatorade or granola bars? What’s banned under new SNAP rules is mixed.Many GOP states are enacting soda and candy bans for food stamp purchases amid MAHA’s healthy food efforts. Some retailers and SNAP users find the new rules complicated.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

FDA weighs lifting peptide restrictions amid wellness craze and push from RFK Jr. The agency had previously restricted some peptides due to safety concerns. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comAmid wellness craze, FDA weighs lifting peptide restrictionsHealth Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a self-professed “big fan” of peptides. They have grown in popularity for wellness and antiaging, but many remain untested.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Lauren Weber
@laurenweberhp.bsky.social

Despite President Trump saying Sunday “we have a lot of great candidates for that” when asked about Casey Means’s stalled surgeon general nomination, the White House reiterated its support for her tonight. w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comWhite House reaffirms support for surgeon general pick after Trump remarksAfter President Trump said Sunday that “we have a lot of great candidates” when asked about Casey Means’s nomination, the White House reiterated its support for her.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Dan Diamond
@ddiamond.bsky.social

The White House is delaying its pick of a new CDC director as they continue to interview candidates. Jay Bhattacharya will continue to oversee the agency on an interim basis. @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social with a little help from me

washingtonpost.comWhite House delays CDC pick as officials search for permanent directorThe responsibilities of leading the agency will remain with Jay Bhattacharya, the head of the National Institutes of Health, who has been serving as acting CDC director since last month
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

The White House faces complicated political dynamics as it searches for a CDC director. About a half dozen are under consideration, including Mississippi's health director, a former KY governor & a cardiologist. With @lenasun.bsky.social & @ddiamond.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/lena...

Lena Sun@lenasun.bsky.social

NEW: White House faces fast-approaching deadline to name CDC director. Here are three ppl being considered. w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comWhite House navigates vaccine politics, midterm risks in CDC director searchThe Trump administration faces complicated political dynamics as it seeks someone to helm the key public health agency suffering a prolonged leadership vacuum.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Lena Sun
@lenasun.bsky.social

NEW: White House faces fast-approaching deadline to name CDC director. Here are three ppl being considered. w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comWhite House navigates vaccine politics, midterm risks in CDC director searchThe Trump administration faces complicated political dynamics as it seeks someone to helm the key public health agency suffering a prolonged leadership vacuum.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

News: Some members of a key federal vaccine panel had been seeking to potentially stop recommending mRNA covid-19 shots. That plan is no longer moving forward. With @lenasun.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/lena...

Lena Sun@lenasun.bsky.social

SCOOP: A key federal vaccine panel has abandoned an attack on covid-19 mRNA vaccines — a shift that comes as some GOP warn that any more changes to vaccine policy could damage midterm prospects. Me + @rachelroubein.bsky.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comRFK Jr.’s vaccine advisers drop proposal to revisit covid-19 shotSome members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel have publicly questioned the safety and manufacturing of the shots, including raising a debunked theory that DNA contaminants in the vaccines are harmf...

Rachel Roubein reposted

Lena Sun
@lenasun.bsky.social

SCOOP: A key federal vaccine panel has abandoned an attack on covid-19 mRNA vaccines — a shift that comes as some GOP warn that any more changes to vaccine policy could damage midterm prospects. Me + @rachelroubein.bsky.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

washingtonpost.comRFK Jr.’s vaccine advisers drop proposal to revisit covid-19 shotSome members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel have publicly questioned the safety and manufacturing of the shots, including raising a debunked theory that DNA contaminants in the vaccines are harmf...
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

Ahead of the midterms, RFK Jr. is messaging on food & drug pricing, and downplaying vaccines, as some Republicans warn vaccines could be a liability. This comes as influential MAHA leaders want to spend big for GOP. Tony Lyons wants to raise $100M. w/ @laurenweberhp.bsky.social

washingtonpost.comWhy RFK Jr. is suddenly talking less about vaccinesHealth chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on tour to tout his MAHA food initiatives and drug pricing over vaccines, an issue GOP pollsters see as a liability.
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social

We are absolutely heartbroken by the loss of two-thirds of our Washington Post health team. Editors, please hire these wonderful journalists.

Lena Sun@lenasun.bsky.social

We had devastating cuts to @washingtonpost. Our health team of 14 lost 9 reporters yesterday despite it being listed as part of the Post’s new focus. But I still have my job. Along w/a core team, we are still dedicated to covering public health, holding the powerful to account.

Rachel Roubein reposted

Lena Sun
@lenasun.bsky.social

We had devastating cuts to @washingtonpost. Our health team of 14 lost 9 reporters yesterday despite it being listed as part of the Post’s new focus. But I still have my job. Along w/a core team, we are still dedicated to covering public health, holding the powerful to account.