‘Ultra-Processed Food Is Just Poison’: RFK Jr. Backed Bans on SNAP, School Lunches Cut Across Party Lines

Kennedy’s Health Campaign Puts State Food Policies in Motion

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative is influencing food policy discussions in several states, as lawmakers take up proposals aimed at reducing diet-related disease. While the campaign has drawn both support and skepticism, elements of Kennedy’s agenda are being considered from West Virginia to California.

In a recent interview on "The Cats & Cosby Show" on WABC 770 AM, Kennedy emphasized his concerns about ultra-processed foods, artificial dyes, and sugary beverages—especially when they are purchased with public funds or served in schools. “Sixty percent of the food that’s served in school lunches to our kids is ultra-processed food, which is just poison,” he told hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby. The White House / Wikimedia

“No Nutrition in Soda”: Kennedy Urges States to Limit SNAP Spending

“We’re working on the SNAP program, the taxpayer-funded food stamp programs,” Kennedy continued. “Ten percent of that now goes to Minnesota and another large percent goes to candy. And we’re encouraging the states to apply for waivers to USDA.”

He added that he recently traveled to Arizona, West Virginia, Utah, and Indiana to support bills restricting soda purchases under the program. “If you want to buy soda, John, you should be able to do that,” he said, “but not with taxpayer-funded money for a nutrition program. There is no nutrition in soda.” Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

Kennedy Targets Food Dyes and Contaminated Baby Formula

Kennedy also pledged to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply, saying, “Well, we announced that within two years, we’re going to get all petroleum-based synthetic dyes out of our food, with the two worst ones coming out within two months and then another one coming out within six months.”

He also launched “Operation Stork Speed,” which he described as “addressing the contaminants in American baby formula supply.” Brooke Lark / Unsplash

“It’s Costing Us $1 Trillion a Year”: Kennedy Pushes Diet Reform

The broader goal, according to Kennedy, is to reduce the prevalence of diet-related illnesses. “It’s costing us $1 trillion a year — more than our military — just to treat diabetes and other metabolic disorders,” he said. “Seventy-four percent of our children cannot qualify for the military because they’ve got chronic disease. So… this is a national security issue… a budgetary and existential financial issue.” Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

Kennedy-Backed Bills Move Forward in Red and Blue States

Kennedy’s public health agenda is gaining traction in both Republican- and Democrat-led states, with several legislatures introducing or enacting proposals aligned with his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative.

Arizona recently restricted the inclusion of ultra-processed foods in school cafeterias, while West Virginia moved to ban the use of SNAP benefits for soda and prohibited several food dyes. In Idaho, Governor Brad Little endorsed similar restrictions, citing Kennedy’s leadership as a motivating factor. Indiana has launched a complementary “Make Indiana Healthy Again” program that includes executive orders aimed at improving food access and nutrition. United States Department of Agriculture / Wikimedia

Utah Bill Targets Artificial Dyes in Schools

Utah has also seen state-level action, where a bill banning artificial dyes in school meals was introduced by Republican Representative Kristen Chevrier. She said Kennedy’s message helped bring attention to the issue and reframe it as one of public health rather than partisan ideology. “The whole mindset of our nation has shifted,” she said, according to USA TODAY.

In a March post on X, Chevrier wrote, “Just passed my second bill through the Utah State Senate: HB402, removing synthetic dyes and selected chemicals from school prepared foods!" @KSChevrier / X

Democratic States Join Push to Clean Up School Food and Agriculture

In traditionally Democratic states, MAHA-affiliated advocacy groups have thrown their support behind programs like California’s Farm to School initiative and New Jersey’s proposed legislation targeting certain pesticides.

California was the first state to ban several food dyes after its health department linked them to potential hyperactivity in children. Dave Schwarz / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Offit Warns Kennedy’s Track Record Undercuts Food Reform Credibility

The momentum has not gone unnoticed by critics. Dr. Paul A. Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, expressed partial support for Kennedy’s push to restrict the use of food stamps for soda and candy. But he remained sharply critical of Kennedy’s broader health platform.

“He’s an anti-vaccine activist. He’s a science denialist, which is why I don’t trust him with the science of food either because he’s so willing to deny the science of vaccines,” Offit said. “Why is he suddenly going to be much more reasonable about science regarding anything else?” BDEngler / Wikimedia

Over 30 MAHA-Linked Bills Introduced Nationwide

Despite the pushback, the scope of activity surrounding MAHA is expanding. More than 30 bills linked to Kennedy’s platform have been introduced in various state legislatures, even as MAHA lacks the sweeping regulatory framework of previous federal health efforts like the Affordable Care Act. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

‘Prioritized to American Health’: Kennedy Advisor Says Plan Will Spur Industry Transparency

Calley Means, a “special government employee” advising Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said, “It’s about making sure the incentives of our health care and food systems are prioritized to American health,” adding that Kennedy would use “his levers of power to spur transparency with the American people.” @calleymeans / X