Will Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revolutionise US food policy?

Scepticism was rife when the former environmental activist turned fringe conspiracy theorist was elected to serve in Trump’s cabinet as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and now he’s taken on a new project: the obesity epidemic.  

Known for his radical views on vaccines causing autism and Covid-19 attacking certain races over others, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has developed a vision to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA).  

But while his track record includes misinformation, such as linking vaccines to autism, a theory repeatedly debunked by the scientific community, Kennedy’s newest crusade has struck a different chord. In recent months, he has taken aim at the ultra-processed food industry, blaming additives, artificial dyes, and sugar for what he calls “a crisis of chronic disease”.  

His rhetoric may sound dramatic, but the numbers back up the urgency. More than 40% of U.S. adults are obese, nearly one in ten are classified as severely obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood obesity has more than tripled since the 1970s, with over 14 million American children and adolescents now affected. Poor diet is also a leading risk factor for death and disability: chronic food illnesses like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease account for around 678,000 deaths annually in the U.S.  

To his supporters, Kennedy’s crusade is a rare example of evidence-based action in a political landscape where food policy is often shaped by corporate lobbying and industry influence

A key target of Kennedy’s policy efforts is ultra-processed food (UPF). These are items that make up around 58% of the average American’s daily calorie intake. Such products, engineered for shelf life and taste, are often high in sugar, fat, salt, and additives with minimal nutritional value. Recent studies have found that higher UPF consumption is linked to increased risk for 32 health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, depression, and several cancers.  

Kennedy has called sugar “poison”, blamed ultra-processed snacks for rising rates of childhood diabetes and obesity, and vowed to remove artificial food dyes from U.S. shelves. Some studies do support concerns about dyes: certain artificial colourings, such as Red 40 and Yellow 5, have been associated with hyperactivity in children and are banned in the EU. However, the U.S. has continued to permit many of these additives under the ‘Generally Recognised as Safe’ (GRAS) rule, a regulatory loophole that allows food manufacturers to self-approve new chemicals without independent FDA testing.  

Kennedy has asked the FDA to dismantle this GRAS provision and wants national dietary guidelines revised to recommend zero added sugar, a stark contrast to the current limit of 10% of daily calories. Critics note that this approach could face fierce resistance from the $2.4 trillion U.S. food industry, but his call for reform has found surprising allies, including some public health experts long frustrated by lenient federal oversight.  

To his supporters, Kennedy’s crusade is a rare example of evidence-based action in a political landscape where food policy is often shaped by corporate lobbying and industry influence. They argue that his plan to clean up America’s food supply and tackle preventable disease is both timely and necessary. And in a twist of political irony, Kennedy’s anti-corporate proposals, like cracking down on chemical additives, are proving popular even in Republican-led states, where they align with Trump’s populist, anti-establishment ideals.  

Poor nutrition and obesity cost the U.S. economy more than $1.4 trillion annually in medical bills and lost productivity

Still, there are concerns that his policy team is too intertwined with conspiracy-minded wellness influencers and social media figures. Some observers warn that the MAHA movement may drift from science-based reform into pseudoscientific territory. Others point to Kennedy’s mixed history with scientific consensus, particularly his vaccine scepticism, as a reason for caution.  

But regardless of how you view Kennedy’s motivations, his focus on food policy shines a spotlight on a neglected crisis. Poor nutrition and obesity cost the U.S. economy more than $1.4 trillion annually in medical bills and lost productivity. The U.S. also trails other wealthy countries in life expectancy, with diet-related disease as a major contributor.  

So, is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a dangerous conspiracist or a much-needed disruptor of America’s broken food system?  

The truth may lie somewhere in between. His past is undeniably erratic, and his present alliances are unorthodox. But on the issue of ultra-processed food and public health, Kennedy may be tapping into something real: an American appetite for change.