As part of a promise to address the high rates of chronic disease in the United States, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who was recently tapped by President-elect Donald J. Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services — has said that he would “fix our broken food system.”
In interviews and on social media, Mr. Kennedy has made a number of claims about the country’s food supply and eating habits. We fact-checked five of his most repeated refrains.
Ultraprocessed Foods
His claim: Ultraprocessed foods are driving the obesity epidemic, and they should be removed from school lunches.
What the research suggests: Many public health and nutrition experts agree that ultraprocessed foods — which make up an estimated 73 percent of the U.S. food supply — are probably contributing to the obesity crisis in the United States, and it would be beneficial to cut back on them.
But the category is wide-ranging, and it’s not clear if all ultraprocessed foods are harmful, experts say. There may be downsides to avoiding some ultraprocessed foods, like flavored yogurts and whole wheat breads and cereals, they add, because they can provide valuable nutrients.
Lindsey Smith Taillie, an associate professor of nutrition at the U.N.C. Gillings School of Global Public Health, said that it would be “transformative” to remove ultraprocessed foods from school lunches. But, she added, schools would need more resources to prepare meals from scratch.
Food Dyes
His claim: Food dyes cause cancer, and A.D.H.D. in children.
What the research suggests: While some small clinical trials have suggested that certain synthetic food dyes may increase hyperactivity in children, there is no solid evidence that they directly cause A.D.H.D. However, many experts agree that because food dyes aren’t nutritionally necessary, it wouldn’t hurt to avoid them.
Raw Milk
His claim: Mr. Kennedy has said that he only drinks raw milk and has suggested that the restrictions on small farmers from selling raw milk should be re-examined.
What the research suggests: Food safety experts say that because raw (or unpasteurized) milk can contain harmful pathogens like E. coli, listeria and salmonella, drinking it can cause serious food-borne illness, so it should be avoided. Raw milk is especially risky for young children, older adults, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
What the research suggests: This is correct. There is solid evidence that consuming too many added sugars, including from high fructose corn syrup, can drive up the risk for a number of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, obesity and cavities.
Americans consume, on average, about twice the American Heart Association’s recommended limit for added sugars, with sweetened beverages like sugary sodas being a top source.
Seed Oils
His claim: Americans are being “unknowingly poisoned” by seed oils like canola, soybean and sunflower oils, and it would be healthier for restaurants to fry food in beef tallow instead.
What the research suggests: The claim that seed oils are harmful to health is false, nutrition experts say. Decades of research have shown that seed oils are not only safe, but the heart-healthy unsaturated fats they contain have been linked with reduced risks for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and earlier death. Seed oils are a far better choice for health than solid fat alternatives, like beef tallow, butter or lard, which are high in saturated fats.
