According to Politico, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is scheduled to hold a meeting with top executives from major food companies such as General Mills and PepsiCo on March 10. The meeting was proposed by the Consumer Brands Association in February and Kennedy Jr. agreed to it at the suggestion of the White House, which has encouraged Cabinet members to engage with industry leaders. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, General Mills, and PepsiCo have not yet responded to requests for comment. Kennedy Jr., known for his environmental and anti-vaccine activism, has advocated for the banning of numerous food additives and chemicals, as well as for removing ultra-processed foods from school meals to combat diet-related chronic diseases. He has previously campaigned for better health initiatives in the United States, criticizing the use of additives, chemicals, and sugar in packaged foods and beverages for contributing to the country’s high rates of chronic illness. Since taking on his role at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last month, Kennedy’s positions have caused fluctuations in the stock prices of vaccine manufacturers and food companies.
