Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promised to change the way America’s food system works. He wants to tackle unhealthy foods and ingredients, like ultra-processed foods and food additives, which he believes are causing many health problems in the country.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Kennedy as his pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). This role would put Kennedy in charge of a large department, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has a big role in the health of Americans.
Kennedy is known for some controversial views, like his anti-vaccine stance. But when it comes to food and nutrition, many experts actually agree with his ideas. The big challenge, though, will be money.
The FDA’s food division doesn’t have a lot of funding. Unlike the drug division, which gets money from fees charged to pharmaceutical companies, the food division relies mostly on money from Congress. And historically, Congress hasn’t been very willing to give a lot of funding for food programs. Jerold Mande, a former FDA adviser, says that the FDA’s food program has a budget of about a billion dollars, but only a small portion, just $25 million, goes toward food nutrition and fighting chronic diseases. That makes it tough to make big changes.
To put it in perspective, the food industry spends nearly $14 billion a year on advertising, promoting unhealthy foods like fast food, sugary drinks, and snacks. It’s a huge amount, and it makes it hard for consumers to make healthier choices. Elisabetta Politi, a nutrition expert, points out how powerful the food industry is in shaping what people eat.
Kennedy’s ideas about improving food and health are great, but experts like Politi wonder how he’ll manage to do it, especially with limited resources.
However, it’s not impossible. Experts like Marion Nestle, a professor at New York University, say that despite the budget challenges, change can still happen. She points to former First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched the Let’s Move! campaign to fight childhood obesity, and Senator Bernie Sanders, who has criticized the processed food industry. Even with limited funds, they managed to push for healthier food policies.
The current FDA commissioner, Robert Califf, has also been pushing for improvements in food safety and nutrition. However, the FDA often moves slowly due to bureaucracy and a lack of resources.
Recently, the FDA banned brominated vegetable oil, a harmful food additive found in sodas and sports drinks. But this decision took years to make. The agency is also considering new food labels and working on updating what “healthy” means in food labeling. There’s also an ongoing review of the potential cancer risks of certain food dyes and additives, like Red Dye No. 3.
One of the best opportunities for Kennedy to make a big impact is in the creation of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines will shape the country’s nutrition advice for the next five years. Kennedy could have a lot of influence in this process since his department oversees these guidelines. Experts believe this is a key moment for him to make a real difference.
Still, there will be challenges ahead. Kennedy will need strong support from others in the government, especially at the FDA and the Department of Agriculture, to push for more funding and action on food policy. He might also need to work with the food industry, which has been relatively quiet during Trump’s transition to the White House.
In the end, Kennedy’s ability to change America’s food system will depend on how he works with others and how much support he can get. But one thing’s clear: the 2025 Dietary Guidelines could be a great chance for him to leave a lasting impact on the nation’s health.
