US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's crusade against ultra-processed foods is at odds with the Trump administration's policies, which have inadvertently fueled their production. The latter's massive subsidies to corn and soy farms, worth $52 billion over 10 years, are expected to further increase the proliferation of these processed foods.
Kennedy has repeatedly linked industrially manufactured food products to America's chronic illness and obesity crises, urging Americans to limit their consumption of added sugars, salt, fat, dyes, and preservatives. Over 65% of Americans support reforming processed foods to remove such additives.
However, Trump administration policies, including cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid funding, undermine Kennedy's efforts. The administration's agricultural subsidies have created a market for highly processed foods, many of which contain corn and soy derivatives that are cheaper than their natural counterparts due to government support.
Kennedy himself has criticized the US obesity epidemic as being driven by food "poisoned" by heavily subsidized commodity crop derivatives. Yet his own efforts have been met with criticism from nutrition experts, who argue that his department's strategy report lacks meaningful regulation of the food industry and instead relies on voluntary action.
The report names ultra-processed foods as a leading driver behind rising rates of chronic disease in children but fails to suggest regulating the majority of additives in these products. Instead, it proposes developing a government-wide definition for supporting potential future research and policy activity.
Experts say that Kennedy's efforts are undermined by Trump administration policies. "Maha leadership is really failing on their promise to fight chronic disease," said Aviva Musicus, an assistant professor of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. "They're betraying the members of the public who put their trust in them to address this very real problem that Americans are really concerned about."
To build a healthier US diet, experts say that meaningful regulation of ultra-processed foods is essential. However, Kennedy's efforts have been criticized for lacking concrete action against corporate power. "There's anti-corporate rhetoric, but at the same time an inability and unwillingness to actually take on corporate power," said Rebecca Wolf, the food policy lead at Food and Water Watch.
The Trump administration's policies are seen as a major obstacle in Kennedy's efforts to reduce America's reliance on ultra-processed foods. As a result, the net public health impact of this administration has been negative despite its claims to improve Americans' health.
Kennedy has repeatedly linked industrially manufactured food products to America's chronic illness and obesity crises, urging Americans to limit their consumption of added sugars, salt, fat, dyes, and preservatives. Over 65% of Americans support reforming processed foods to remove such additives.
However, Trump administration policies, including cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid funding, undermine Kennedy's efforts. The administration's agricultural subsidies have created a market for highly processed foods, many of which contain corn and soy derivatives that are cheaper than their natural counterparts due to government support.
Kennedy himself has criticized the US obesity epidemic as being driven by food "poisoned" by heavily subsidized commodity crop derivatives. Yet his own efforts have been met with criticism from nutrition experts, who argue that his department's strategy report lacks meaningful regulation of the food industry and instead relies on voluntary action.
The report names ultra-processed foods as a leading driver behind rising rates of chronic disease in children but fails to suggest regulating the majority of additives in these products. Instead, it proposes developing a government-wide definition for supporting potential future research and policy activity.
Experts say that Kennedy's efforts are undermined by Trump administration policies. "Maha leadership is really failing on their promise to fight chronic disease," said Aviva Musicus, an assistant professor of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. "They're betraying the members of the public who put their trust in them to address this very real problem that Americans are really concerned about."
To build a healthier US diet, experts say that meaningful regulation of ultra-processed foods is essential. However, Kennedy's efforts have been criticized for lacking concrete action against corporate power. "There's anti-corporate rhetoric, but at the same time an inability and unwillingness to actually take on corporate power," said Rebecca Wolf, the food policy lead at Food and Water Watch.
The Trump administration's policies are seen as a major obstacle in Kennedy's efforts to reduce America's reliance on ultra-processed foods. As a result, the net public health impact of this administration has been negative despite its claims to improve Americans' health.
, can't they see what's going on here? it's like, we're trying to fix the problem with processed foods but then we give them incentives to keep making more of 'em 
. it's just crazy. 65% of americans agree that reform is needed, but does anyone care about actually changing things? 
. we need real action, not just some empty promises from the government 
. and btw, who do these experts think they are telling kennedy what to do? like, he's the health secretary, not them 
. this is all just a huge mess 
and making it harder for him to make progress... meanwhile, experts are saying that meaningful regulation is key to building a healthier diet 
but kennedy's efforts feel kinda watered down 
cuz they're relying on corporations to just be all good guys voluntarily... come on, folks! we need more concrete action 
not just empty promises 
. He's got some valid points about the dangers of added sugars, salt, and preservatives, but his department's strategy report is basically just a bunch of hot air 
. I mean, who needs regulation when corporations will just play nice voluntarily? 
It's not like they have a history of putting profits over people. The Trump admin's subsidies for corn and soy farms are literally fueling the problem 
. And don't even get me started on the fact that SNAP and Medicaid funding have been cut – that's just cruel to vulnerable populations 
. We need concrete action, not empty rhetoric 
.
which r more like fuelin the problem. like, who gives billions of dollaz to corn & soy farms? 
and honestly its kinda messed up that they're cuttin SNAP & medicaid funding too 
its like they wanna make people sick on purpose lol
they're basically the enemy of our health and yet we have these so-called "leaders" who are more interested in lining the pockets of corn and soy farmers 
than actually doing something about it it's like, what's next? 
i mean, come on guys, can't we just get rid of the subsidies for corn and soy already? it feels like we're living in some kind of food dystopia where corporations are calling the shots 
, but the Trump admin is all about helping farmers grow more of that stuff with $52 billion in subsidies 
. Can't we just agree to reduce the amount of junk food out there and make healthier choices? 
So like, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is trying to get rid of all those super unhealthy processed foods in America 
and stuff but it's kinda complicated 'cause the Trump admin's policies are actually making these foods cheaper 
. Like, they're giving huge subsidies to corn and soy farms which are basically just ingredients in most processed foods 
. It's pretty crazy that people like him are trying to fight chronic diseases and obesity but the government's actions are kinda undermining their efforts 
.
not just "oh let's make some vague report about food" 
. We need real regulation and stuff so that corporations can't just do whatever they want 
I mean, come on, can't they see that the way our food system is set up is literally killing us? 
Like, seriously, $52 billion for corn and soy farms? That's a huge chunk of change that could be going towards actual healthcare reform instead of subsidizing processed foods that are just poison for our bodies. 
The stats are clear: we're in the middle of an obesity crisis, and it's time for leaders to step up and take responsibility instead of just talking about it. 
, lacking real concrete action against corporate power. I think we need more meaningful regulation and policy changes to tackle this issue head-on... it's not just about individual choice, but also about protecting public health 
... and then they got the nerve to blame ultra-processed foods for americas obesity crises 
... Kennedy's trying to do something about it, but his department's report is all empty promises 
. We need real action, not just some empty promises to "support" future research. What we really need is meaningful regulation that actually holds corporate power accountable. Until then, I'm going to keep boycotting those ultra-processed snacks and supporting farmers who grow nutritious whole foods 
. The fact that the Trump admin is basically subsidizing the production of ultra-processed foods is just ridiculous 
. And btw, why do politicians always get to decide for us what's best for our health? 
shouldn't we have a say in it too? 
. Can't we just have a food system that prioritizes people's health over profits? 
.
i cant believe what's going on with food production in the usa! 
i mean, over 65% of americans want change, so why is it so hard to make it happen? 
. And don't even get me started on the subsidies, it's like they're saying " hey, go ahead and poison our kids with corn and soy derivatives, we've got your back