Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has committed to addressing chronic diseases and the health crisis in the United States through federal government action, a promise aimed at both his family and skeptics within major pharmaceutical companies.
As with any new government official, navigating the complexities of bureaucracy and entrenched interests would likely pose significant challenges for Kennedy.
Nonetheless, he appears poised to tackle these obstacles head-on, particularly given his long-standing opposition to the pharmaceutical industry.
In his initial 100 days as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy seems to have made swift progress in targeting harmful food additives.
One of the first initiatives he tackled was the gradual elimination of “petroleum-based synthetic dyes,” which have drawn criticism for years.
The department has initiated a removal of six synthetic dyes: FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2.
These dyes are scheduled to be phased out of food supplies by the end of 2026, and plans to halt the use of citrus red and orange B dyes are in the works.
Kennedy regards such dyes as “toxic compounds” detrimental to children’s health, noting that they offer no nutritional benefits and carry substantial risks.
“We’re starting to restore scientific standards, applying common sense and rebuilding public trust. We’re collaborating with the industry to eliminate these harmful dyes from our food,” Kennedy stated.
Fluoride, commonly added to water in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Chile, and Ireland, has faced scrutiny over the years. Research from Harvard in 2012 and a HHS study in 2024 suggest that fluoride might decrease children’s IQs.
“There’s really no reason for it to be in our water,” Kennedy remarked during an address in Utah.
Utah has recently become the first state to officially ban fluoride. Kennedy is also reassembling the Disease Control and Prevention Task Force to investigate fluoride’s effects and provide official recommendations, hoping other states will follow suit.
“They changed our food system in this country so that it would be poisonous to us.”
Kennedy commended Utah for being a pioneer in seeking a soda ban within the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Both Arkansas and Indiana have joined Utah in requesting an exemption from the USDA, which would restrict the purchase of sodas and candies using food stamps.
According to Associated Press, Arkansas aims to ban soda and fruit drinks containing less than 50% natural juice. Moreover, artificially sweetened candies and sweets are also on the list of prohibited items. Rotisserie chicken, on the other hand, is eligible for purchase.
Indiana’s proposal seeks to eliminate candy and soda from the program entirely.
“They changed our food system in this country so that it would be poisonous to us,” Kennedy reiterated.
Infant formula has also been a focal point for Kennedy’s HHS. A national shortage last year, attributed to supply chain disruptions from Covid-19, alarmed many parents.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and HHS aim to ensure a “strong” and resilient supply, recent federal announcements have primarily revolved around testing infant formula for nutritional content.
This has included ramping up testing for heavy metals and other pollutants, improving label transparency, and prioritizing research into long-term health outcomes for infant formula feeding.
“The FDA continues to prioritize safety and the nutritional quality of infant formulations, taking all necessary steps to ensure the U.S. supply is regarded as the best in the world,” a press release stated.
Moreover, a proposed policy change introduced in March by Kennedy directs the FDA in reviewing how companies declare that certain ingredients are safe.
Describing current practices as a “loophole,” Kennedy emphasized that manufacturers could introduce new additives without alerting the FDA.
While the FDA encourages businesses to report new ingredients classified as safe, these manufacturers often bypass notifying the agency altogether.
“Closing this loophole enhances consumer transparency,” Kennedy stated.
Cost reduction
As soon as he took office, RFK Jr. addressed the staggering $1.7 trillion spent annually on healthcare in the United States—a 17% increase in merely five years.
In response, Kennedy called for “cutting unhealthy fats,” resulting in nearly 10,000 employees leaving the department.
While the media has portrayed this as a major layoff and “workforce reduction,” Kennedy insists it was a voluntary exit.
“We offered a chance for a dignified exit, particularly for those whose values didn’t match with our mission. Almost 10,000 HHS employees chose to resign voluntarily through various programs for early retirement and separation incentives.”
Kennedy has also announced the closure of the “highest-cost regional offices” in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.
“It’s evident that HHS has become a hub for deep state officials…”
These swift measures not only save money but also have reportedly saved an additional $67 billion through enhanced government efficiency. This included canceling a $14.1 billion grant linked to Covid and restructuring contracts to net another $17 billion in savings, alongside an extra $10.5 billion by requiring proof of income for federal financial assistance.
“The quick departures of HHS employees upon Kennedy’s arrival highlight that the department had devolved into a haven for bureaucrats uninterested in its core mission,” remarked Sarah Gonzalez.
She expressed gratitude for Kennedy’s prompt interventions.
Gonzalez noted that HHS is also investigating the root causes of autism.
Kennedy stated he is assembling a team of scientists to research the autism epidemic, which impacts one in every 31 children.
“We expect our findings to start surfacing this September,” Kennedy explained.
Reports have also emerged concerning autism, as HHS seeks to counter claims that the increase in cases is merely due to better diagnosis. The department asserts that the rise in autism is not solely attributed to enhanced detection, as nearly two-thirds of affected children also face significant intellectual disabilities.
With new focus on gender dysphoria, health-conscious Americans and conservatives are taking note.
Recently, Kennedy announced that any new vaccines will require further testing prior to approval, which includes undergoing placebo-controlled trials. A spokesperson for HHS characterized this shift as a “radical departure” from previous policies.
“There’s a great deal more to achieve, from uncovering the causes of autism to detoxifying our food supply, and ultimately ensuring childhood vaccines are rigorously tested with true placebos,” Gonzalez stated.
With efforts aimed at enhancing government efficiency, Kennedy seems to be positioning himself to enact significant changes that could resonate across the political spectrum, potentially setting a new course for public health initiatives in America.
