Zinger Key Points
- Kennedy’s potential new role as the country’s top health official catches the attention of food industry giants.
- "I’m just gonna tell the cereal companies: Take all the dyes out of their food,” Kennedy says.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a vocal opponent of artificial food dyes, blaming them in part for the “chronic disease epidemic" in America. He may get the opportunity to bring major changes to the U.S. food industry under the incoming Trump administration.
What To Know: President-elect Donald Trump has named Kennedy as his pick to lead the department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If confirmed by the Senate, Kennedy would oversee the Food and Drug Administration, among other federal health agencies, and may be able to effect policy changes that align with his views, which have run counter to programs widely viewed by the public health community as successes, such as water fluoridation and vaccines.
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Kennedy has criticized the use of artificial dyes in popular cereals, snacks and beverages and noted that some dyes, like Red Dye No. 3, are banned in Europe and California due to potential health risks. Kennedy argues the U.S. food system allows many additives that are restricted in other countries to the detriment of the public's health.
"We are betraying our children by letting these industries poison them," Kennedy said at a Trump campaign rally Nov. 2.
The potential HHS secretary has often targeted breakfast cereals in particular due to their popularity with children.
"They get brighter colors in Froot Loops, but it's literally poisoning our kids," Kennedy told Fox News in September.
Froot Loops maker Kellogg said in 2015 that it was working to remove artificial colors and flavors from its branded cereals by the end of 2018, according to the Wall Street Journal. WK Kellogg Co. KLG still sells cereal that contains the ingredients.
"The first thing I'd do isn't going to cost you anything because I'm just gonna tell the cereal companies: Take all the dyes out of their food," Kennedy said in October.
Kennedy's potential new role as the country's top health official has caught the attention of other food industry giants like General Mills, Inc. GIS. The mega-manufacturer of processed foods released a statement after Trump announced Kennedy as his choice for the position.
"Because this is always an evolving space, we work in close partnership with policymakers on this issue," General Mills said in the statement. "We will engage with federal regulators as they consider any additional changes they may propose."
Why It Matters: Trump has said he is ready to let Kennedy "go wild on health" and he could “do pretty much what he wants” in his administration. In his announcement of his intent to nominate Kennedy as secretary of HHS, Trump said he expects him to "end the chronic disease epidemic , and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!"
"Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation and disinformation when it comes to public health," Trump's announcement stated.
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