In a stark illustration of the consequences of recent U.S. foreign aid policy shifts, nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food aid have been destroyed after expiring in a warehouse in Dubai. This food, consisting primarily of high-energy biscuits designed to provide immediate nutritional support to children in crisis zones, was rendered unusable and incinerated, prompting widespread criticism from lawmakers and humanitarian experts alike.
The U.S. Department of State confirmed on July 17, 2025, that the destruction of these high-energy biscuits—equivalent to about one million pounds of food—was necessary because the stock had expired and could no longer be safely distributed. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized that this amount represented less than 1% of the roughly one million metric tons of food aid the United States supplies globally each year and assured that the expired stock would be replaced. However, Bruce declined to clarify whether the administration would maintain the same level of food aid distribution moving forward.
Bruce explained that these biscuits are stored near regions prone to drought, famine, and conflict, ready to be deployed rapidly in emergencies. "If something is expired, we will destroy it," she said, stressing the importance of safety in aid distribution. She also noted that destroying expired stockpiled food is not unprecedented and has occurred under prior administrations, although previous efforts did not involve the sweeping cuts currently underway.
Yet, the destruction of this aid has ignited controversy, especially in light of the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the country's principal agency for distributing food aid abroad. USAID was merged into the State Department after drastic budget cuts and restructuring, which critics argue has undermined the efficiency and responsiveness of U.S. humanitarian efforts.
A former USAID official, speaking anonymously, described the destruction as "the definition of waste." They explained that before USAID’s dismantling, personnel actively managed expiration dates, coordinating redistribution or donations to prevent such losses. The official lamented that the aid could have been sent to critical hotspots like Gaza, where two rations of these biscuits daily could prevent starvation, especially given the lack of clean water, cooking fuel, and other necessities. However, the Gaza response has been effectively demobilized, with logistics staff dismissed under the current administration.
Democratic lawmakers have been vocal in their criticism. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, pressed Deputy Secretary of State for Management Michael Rigas about the destroyed food aid during a congressional hearing. Shaheen secured a commitment from Rigas for an inventory of current food aid stockpiles and a pledge to attempt distribution before expiration. She also highlighted other at-risk supplies, such as cooking oil stored in Houston and food aid in Djibouti nearing expiration.
Yet, Rigas acknowledged that the shuttering of USAID had contributed to the problem, admitting the administration did not intend to allow food aid to expire but faced logistical challenges. Similarly, Senator Tim Kaine condemned the administration’s inaction, stating that it "really exposes the soul" of the current U.S. foreign aid policy.
Adding to the controversy, the Trump administration plans to destroy millions of dollars worth of contraceptives and HIV prevention supplies originally intended for health programs in developing countries. Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut criticized these moves as politically motivated and dangerous, warning that lives are at risk. DeLauro pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s March assurance to Congress that frozen aid would be delivered and not wasted, highlighting the contradiction in current policies.
On July 18, 2025, Democratic Representatives Gregory Meeks, Lois Frankel, and Grace Meng introduced legislation aimed at preventing the destruction or waste of foreign aid supplies. They noted that, in addition to the food aid, the administration is discarding $9 million worth of family planning materials. The food destroyed could have fed approximately 1.5 million children for a week or sustained 27,000 people for a month, while the contraceptives could have covered reproductive health needs for hundreds of thousands of women and families.
A State Department spokesperson told The Guardian that the contraceptive destruction was due to U.S. legal restrictions preventing sales to organizations involved in abortion services overseas and that most supplies had less than 70% of their shelf life remaining. Repackaging for resale would be costly, though an aide who visited the storage site noted that some supplies have expiration dates as late as 2027.
Meanwhile, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation on July 18 that formalizes nearly $9 billion in cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting. This vote codifies the sweeping spending reductions President Trump initially imposed upon taking office nearly six months ago, deepening concerns about the future of U.S. humanitarian assistance.
These developments come amid a global hunger crisis, with the United Nations World Food Program reporting that 319 million people worldwide face acute hunger. Populations in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, and Haiti teeter on the brink of starvation, making the loss of U.S. food aid particularly stark.
Despite assurances from State Department officials that high-energy biscuits remain stocked in warehouses worldwide and that the agency strives to avoid destroying aid, critics argue that the current policies and administrative upheaval have undercut America’s ability to respond effectively to humanitarian emergencies.
As the debate continues, it raises urgent questions about the balance between fiscal responsibility, administrative efficiency, and the moral imperative to alleviate human suffering. The destruction of vital aid supplies, especially amid escalating global crises, underscores the tangible human costs of political decisions and budgetary priorities.
