Secretary of State Marco Rubio cracked up the Cupboard room this week with a jab at Well being Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s campaign towards processed meals. “Due to Secretary Kennedy, I’m afraid to eat something,” Rubio mentioned to roaring laughter, earlier than including, “In entrance of him… he mentioned Tootsie Rolls are OK, sparsely.”
The joke got here as Kennedy escalated his marketing campaign towards ultra-processed meals throughout a high-profile information convention, the place he declared, “Sugar is poison,” and claimed to have secured “an understanding” with main meals producers to take away petroleum-based colourings from their merchandise by 2026.
No firm formally backed Kennedy’s remarks, although the Worldwide Dairy Meals Affiliation has pledged to get rid of synthetic colors from milk, cheese, and yogurt offered in faculties underneath federal diet programmes beginning in 2026.
“4 years from now, we’re going to have most of those merchandise off the market, or you’ll find out about them while you go to the grocery retailer,” Kennedy mentioned.
Talking from a Division of Well being and Human Providers stage flanked by MAHA Mothers and youngsters—supporters of his “Make America Wholesome Once more” initiative—Kennedy blamed ultra-processed meals for rising weight problems, diabetes, and coronary heart illness charges within the US. He criticised federal tips for recommending what he sees as extreme sugar consumption. “It’s hurting them, and it’s addicting them, and it’s altering their style buds,” he mentioned.
Kennedy’s remarks comply with his nomination by President Donald Trump as US Well being Secretary, a job that covers medical analysis, public well being, and meals security. Trump reportedly tasked Kennedy with eradicating “corruption” from well being companies and ending the “persistent illness epidemic.”
Kennedy’s push for meals reform has been accompanied by deep finances and staffing cuts at key companies. Critics argue these adjustments might undercut his personal agenda. A number of scientists have resigned, together with NIH’s main diet skilled Kevin Corridor and FDA meals division chief Jim Jones, who mentioned the layoffs made his position “fruitless.”
Nonetheless, Kennedy has discovered allies, together with FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary, who mentioned, “You win extra bees with honey than fireplace,” and urged a cooperative method to meals reform.
Whereas Kennedy’s efforts round meals security have drawn reward, his previous feedback on vaccines and fluoride have stirred controversy. His views have been extensively criticised by medical professionals, who warn that they unfold misinformation and undermine public well being.
Kennedy, who not too long ago ended his impartial presidential run and endorsed Trump, maintains that he desires higher vaccine science and knowledgeable public selection. But his repeated claims linking vaccines to autism—lengthy discredited—have alarmed well being consultants.
Kennedy’s give attention to processed meals components and meals colouring displays his broader perception that ultra-processed meals are fuelling an American well being disaster. Whereas some researchers help a hyperlink between food regimen and persistent illness, others warning that extra proof is required to isolate the precise results of meals processing from broader socioeconomic and way of life elements.
Nonetheless, as Rubio’s quip about Tootsie Rolls suggests, Kennedy’s dietary campaign has already had a cultural ripple impact—even contained in the White Home.
