Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confronts America's Ultra-Processed Food Crisis

The Heritage Foundation recently hosted a luncheon titled “Make America Healthy Again",  featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr., where he discussed his policies aimed at improving the nation’s health. The U.S. Health Secretary emphasized the importance of adopting a more nutritious diet and highlighted the need for meaningful changes to America’s food system. His efforts to remove artificial dyes and harmful chemicals from the food supply have faced challenges but have proven effective. Kennedy has successfully secured multiple agreements with food manufacturers to eliminate synthetic additives. Ultra-processed foods have been identified as a major contributor to chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and ADHD. As part of his initiative, Kennedy has strongly advocated for real foods and greater transparency in food labeling so consumers can easily identify products free of artificial additives.

Kennedy has described the issue as a “war on processed food” and has received widespread support from parents, consumers, and major health organizations, including the American Heart Association. He urges Americans to eat real food, emphasizing that better nutrition can reduce chronic disease and help lower healthcare costs.

In addition, Kennedy has focused on improving the nutritional quality of food served in schools and federal assistance programs such as WIC and SNAP. His agenda focuses on improving food safety standards, limiting contaminants such as heavy metals in the food supply, and updating federal dietary guidelines. Kennedy says his message is simple. "Eat Real Food".