Robert F. Kennedy Jr. aims to remove processed food and synthetic dyes from school meals and tighten food regulations if appointed in the Trump administration, a shift from past Republican stances on nutrition.
Rachel Roubein, Lauren Weber, Michael Scherer David Ovalle report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Kennedy has promised to remove processed food from schools, citing health concerns over additives and dyes.
- His proposed role would give him authority over FDA regulations, though his views have alarmed public health officials due to his anti-vaccine advocacy and promotion of controversial treatments.
- While Kennedy’s stance has drawn bipartisan interest, it challenges the food industry’s longstanding influence over food policy.
Key quote:
“Here’s a man who presents himself as an advocate for science but embraces the least scientific aspects of the medical system.”
— Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest
Why this matters:
Kennedy’s potential influence over U.S. food policy could lead to stricter standards on processed foods in schools, affecting millions of children’s diets. However, his controversial health views raise concerns about the science behind some of his proposed changes to national nutrition policy.
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