Kennedy Accuses Big Tobacco of Promoting Unhealthy Foods

Health and Humanities Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has criticized large tobacco companies for creating harmful, highly processed, and addictive foods that contribute to obesity and chronic illnesses, effectively “addicting” the American population.

In a 1977 interview on WABC radio, Kennedy pointed out that cigarette manufacturers like Philip Morris International and RJ Reynolds began diversifying their businesses in response to intensified legal scrutiny and public concern about smoking’s health risks.

He stated, “They recognized the regulatory challenges and lawsuits looming ahead and decided to branch out. Their solution? They purchased food companies,” as he discussed on the Cats Roundtable.

Back in those days, tobacco companies were acquiring major food entities, including Kraft, General Foods, and Nabisco.

“By 1995, Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds had become the top two food companies globally. They deployed their teams of scientists—who had spent years making cigarettes more addictive—to develop methods for making food just as addictive,” Kennedy highlighted during his conversation with host John Catsimatidis.

“They introduced chemicals and even fabric softeners to manipulate our brains… Sure, the food tastes good and smells enticing, but it lacks nutrition, leaving people unsatisfied and consuming more. This cycle is a major factor in American obesity,” he argued.

He added, “It’s not about Americans suddenly becoming lazy or gluttonous. They’ve been poisoned. Their minds have been deliberately misled to focus on unhealthy eating habits. We aim to put an end to this with our administration.”

While big tobacco has largely exited the food industry, Kennedy contends that their previous actions have left a damaging legacy.

He stressed that excessive obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes in Americans are largely due to the consumption of processed foods filled with sugars and salts.

In alignment with Kennedy’s initiative to “Make America Healthy Again,” the Department of Agriculture recently introduced new dietary guidelines, emphasizing protein and healthy fats while minimizing the intake of grains.

Efforts to obtain comments from Philip Morris USA’s parent companies, Altria and RJ Reynolds, have been made, but responses are pending.