RFK Jr. and Former FDA Chief David Kessler Join Forces Against Ultra-Processed Foods
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a rare alliance bridging political and professional divides, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., current Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. David Kessler, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, have taken a unified stand against the pervasive presence of ultra-processed foods in the American diet. Both men have publicly criticized the food industry’s use of the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) designation, a regulatory framework established in 1958 that allows manufacturers to self-determine the safety of food additives without rigorous government oversight.
Ultra-processed foods, which now account for nearly half of the calories consumed by Americans, are characterized by their complex ingredient lists—sometimes containing between 4,000 and 10,000 additives—that contribute to their addictive qualities and questionable health effects. This growing reliance on highly processed products has been linked to a surge in chronic health conditions including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
Dr. Kessler, who led the FDA from 1990 to 1997, has long warned about the addictive nature of processed foods and the challenges regulators face in keeping pace with industry innovations. Kennedy, whose tenure as HHS Secretary has emphasized public health advocacy, argues that the GRAS loophole effectively permits food companies to act as their own regulators, likening it to “a race car company deciding the proper speed limit for a public highway.” This analogy underscores the potential conflict of interest inherent in self-regulation.
The duo’s campaign highlights how the GRAS designation, intended to expedite the approval of safe food additives, has instead become a mechanism for the proliferation of ingredients with limited independent safety data. This regulatory gap has drawn criticism from consumer advocacy groups and health experts alike. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the GRAS process allows companies to notify the agency of their determination, but it does not require premarket approval, creating a system vulnerable to exploitation.
Public health officials have noted that ultra-processed foods often contain additives designed to enhance flavor, texture, and shelf life, which can contribute to overconsumption and poor nutritional outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that excessive intake of such foods is a significant factor in the nation’s obesity epidemic.
While their backgrounds differ—Kessler as a medical expert and regulator, Kennedy as a political figure and environmental advocate—their shared concern over the health impacts of ultra-processed foods has created an unlikely but powerful partnership. They advocate for reforming the current regulatory framework to require more stringent, independent safety evaluations of food additives and greater transparency for consumers.
Their efforts align with broader calls from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies to improve food safety standards and promote healthier eating habits nationwide. As the debate intensifies, their campaign is poised to influence policy discussions around food regulation, public health, and consumer protection.
For now, the alliance between RFK Jr. and Dr. Kessler shines a spotlight on the complex challenges posed by ultra-processed foods and the regulatory mechanisms that have allowed them to flourish in the American marketplace.
Leave a Reply