When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. takes the stage for his confirmation hearing as the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), he is expected to face intense questioning about his controversial views on vaccines and alternative health practices. However, one area where he may find common ground with lawmakers from both parties is in matters of food policy.
Kennedy has openly criticized the dangers posed by ultra-processed foods, harmful additives, and the influence of large corporations on food systems. While his anti-vaccine opinions have attracted significant criticism, his focus on improving public health through better food options resonates with bipartisan initiatives, earning him accolades from various public health advocates.
If confirmed as HHS Secretary, Kennedy would play a pivotal role in shaping policies related to food regulations, nutrition standards, and federal dietary guidelines. Jerold Mande, a former senior adviser at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and deputy undersecretary for food safety at the Department of Agriculture during two Democratic administrations, emphasizes the strong bipartisan concern surrounding ultra-processed foods.
As HHS Secretary, Kennedy would oversee the FDA, which is tasked with ensuring food safety and overseeing nutrition labeling. A key tool at his disposal would be HHS’s involvement in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, an essential document guiding federal nutrition policies. These guidelines, revised every five years, play a significant role in shaping public health initiatives and food assistance programs. Mande describes this process as highly politicized, with each administration influencing the guidelines to reflect its priorities. “It’s like the phases of the moon,” he notes. “Currently, HHS is at a peak of influence, which is rare since dietary guidelines usually span two administrations.”
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For Kennedy, overseeing the Dietary Guidelines process could provide a platform to push for stricter recommendations against ultra-processed foods, particularly those laden with sugar, unhealthy fats, and harmful additives. He has committed to removing processed foods from school cafeterias and promoting initiatives to combat food-related chronic diseases, which he believes have been largely ignored by both major political parties. Additionally, he has advocated for reducing pesticide usage and limiting the prevalence of seed oils like canola and sunflower, which he argues worsen health issues in the U.S. Kennedy has also called for a ban on artificial food dyes, such as those in Froot Loops, asserting they can adversely affect children’s health. “We need to stop feeding our children poison and give them real, wholesome food again,” he stated on X on November 2.
Kennedy has criticized the FDA for being too lenient on food additives and processing standards. If he is confirmed, he is expected to push for stricter regulations, clearer labeling, and greater transparency regarding harmful additives. President-elect Donald Trump, who nominated Kennedy, suggested that he would empower Kennedy to take bold actions regarding food policy after Kennedy stepped back from his independent presidential campaign to support him.
During a Senate hearing on Thursday, FDA officials were questioned about the agency’s delays in implementing a proposed rule requiring health labels on food and beverage packaging, aimed at highlighting high levels of sodium, saturated fat, or added sugars amidst rising obesity rates. Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and chair of the Senate Health Committee, asked, “How long does it take to put a bloody label on a product?” FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf explained that the delay was crucial to ensure that any proposed rule could withstand potential legal challenges, referencing recent Supreme Court decisions limiting federal agencies’ powers.
After the hearing, Sanders expressed agreement with some of Kennedy’s views on food policy, particularly his critique of the food industry’s profit-driven motives. “I think what he’s saying about the food industry is exactly correct,” he told CBS News. “You have a food industry that prioritizes profits and disregards the health of the American people. They need to be challenged.”
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However, any regulatory changes Kennedy seeks may encounter pushback from the agricultural sector and large food corporations, which have a history of lobbying against regulations they view as harmful to their bottom line. The food lobby—which includes processed food, agriculture, and biotechnology—has consistently opposed efforts to tighten rules on ingredients, labeling, and production methods. Kennedy’s advocacy for stricter regulations on pesticides and agricultural chemicals could alienate some Republicans, who typically resist government interventions that affect business practices.
In addition to industry resistance, Kennedy may face practical challenges in funding his initiatives. The FDA’s food division operates under a tight budget reliant on congressional appropriations, unlike the self-sustaining user fees that support the agency’s drug division. Mande notes that previous attempts to implement significant food reforms have been impeded by budgetary constraints, and Kennedy may find himself facing similar challenges. “They have less than $25 million to execute their nutrition work,” Mande mentions regarding the FDA’s budget. “They are unable to make a meaningful impact in this area due to insufficient funding from Congress.”
Despite these hurdles, some of Kennedy’s views on food and nutrition are contentious. His proposed overhaul of the FDA’s food division includes plans to dismiss nutritionists at the agency, claiming they are “not doing their job.” This stance has raised concerns among public health experts. Such a radical move could complicate his confirmation process, particularly among Democrats and health advocates who are already wary of his overall beliefs. Kennedy has accused the FDA of “aggressive suppression” of various products, including raw milk and hydroxychloroquine. He has previously championed raw milk, asserting it “advances human health,” despite warnings from both the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the potential dangers of consuming raw milk, which can carry harmful bacteria like E. coli and listeria. He is also against water fluoridation, a practice known to improve oral health and a cornerstone of U.S. public health policy for many years, citing studies that link high fluoride levels to neurobehavioral issues.
As the Senate confirmation process progresses, Kennedy’s views on vaccines are expected to come under heavy scrutiny. Public health officials are particularly apprehensive about the possibility of appointing a prominent anti-vaccine advocate to lead HHS, which oversees vaccine safety. “Some might argue that his views on diet and the importance of healthy foods are valid,” remarked Senator Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, during the Senate Health Committee hearing with FDA officials. “However, having one reasonable opinion does not qualify someone to lead the United States Department of Health and Human Services.”
