RFK Jr. Says He Wants Dunkin' and Starbucks to Prove Their Drinks Are Safe
RFK Jr. Says He Wants Dunkin' and Starbucks to Prove Their Drinks Are Safe
Erin ClementsWed, March 4, 2026 at 5:55 PM UTC
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U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event to "Celebrate the Implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans" at the Health and Human Services Headquarters on February 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. Kennedy celebrated the guidelines and the Make America Healthy Again movement with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, Chef Andrew Gruel, Defense Department Undersecretary Mike Obadal, and Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall; A large 32-oz. iced coffee sold at Dunkin' Donuts on Friday, July 22, 2016.Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty; Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty -
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized Dunkin’ and Starbucks for high sugar content in some drinks at an Austin rally
The U.S. government’s new dietary guidelines prioritize protein and less sugar, reversing previous nutrition recommendations
Experts advise checking food labels, as added sugars often exceed recommended daily limits without consumers realizing it
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called out two popular coffee chains for their beverages’ sugar content.
Kennedy made the comments while speaking about his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda at an "Eat Real Food" rally at Brazos Hall in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 26.
“We’re going to ask Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, ‘Show us the safety data that show that it’s okay for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it,’” Kennedy told the crowd.
“I don’t think they’re gonna be able to do it,” he added.
Robert K. Kennedy MAHA Conference Austin, TX - Eat Real Food RallyCredit: MAHA Action/Youtube
PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Starbucks and Dunkin’, but did not immediately get a response.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey shared a link to a Boston Globe article covering Kennedy’s comments on her X account along with a playful response: an illustration of a Dunkin’ cup with the words “Come and take it.”
The Trump administration released new dietary guidelines in January, with officials calling them the “most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in history.”
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The new nutritional guidelines introduced an inverted food pyramid.
Unlike prior guidance, the pyramid prioritizes protein, red meat and full-fat dairy while encouraging less sugar and fewer highly processed foods.Kennedy said during a press briefing at the time, “My message is clear: Eat real food.”
The U.S. government’s dietary guidelines recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily caloric intake.
Starbucks Frappucino; Dunkin Iced CoffeeCredit: Taylor Weidman/Bloomberg via Getty; Ron Antonelli/Bloomberg via Getty
The American Heart Association, meanwhile, advises consuming only 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day for women and children over the age of 2, and 36 grams (9 teaspoons) a day for men.
Registered dietitian Beth Czerwony told Cleveland Clinic that consumers should check labels on packaged food for added sugar.
“Looking at the label is important if you want to manage sugar intake,” Czerwony said. “You’ll probably be surprised at the amount of added sugar in food where you really don’t expect to find it.”
on People
Source: “AOL Money”
