U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called on major coffee chains Dunkin’ and Starbucks to provide scientific evidence demonstrating that some of their high sugar beverages are safe for consumers, particularly adolescents. His remarks have triggered discussion about sugar intake, public health regulation, and the nutritional content of popular coffee drinks in the United States.
Kennedy made the comments on February 26 during an “Eat Real Food” rally at Brazos Hall in Austin, Texas. The event was organized by MAHA Action, a political group that supports his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. The initiative focuses on reducing consumption of ultra processed foods and examining the safety of ingredients used in packaged foods and beverages.
During the event, Kennedy criticized specialty coffee beverages that contain large amounts of added sugar. He said the federal government plans to question beverage companies about the health implications of such products.
“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 said while addressing the audience.
Kennedy suggested that drinks containing extremely high levels of sugar raise public health concerns. He said the government would expect companies to provide scientific evidence demonstrating that such products are safe for regular consumption.
Kennedy’s remarks align with broader discussions within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about reviewing the safety of ingredients used in processed foods. He has criticized the current regulatory framework governing certain food additives and refined carbohydrates.
Many ingredients used in processed foods fall under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s “Generally Recognized as Safe” category, commonly referred to as GRAS. This designation allows certain substances to enter the food supply without the same level of premarket approval required for new food additives.
Public health advocates have raised concerns that some ingredients classified under GRAS may require stronger scientific evaluation when consumed frequently or in large amounts.
A citizen petition submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by pediatrician and former FDA commissioner David Kessler has called on regulators to reassess the GRAS status of certain refined carbohydrates used in processed foods. The petition argues that manufacturers should provide stronger safety evidence if questions arise about potential health risks.
Health authorities have long advised limiting added sugar consumption. According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, added sugars should account for less than 10 percent of total daily calorie intake.¹
The American Heart Association recommends stricter limits. It advises that women and children consume no more than about 25 grams of added sugar per day, while men should limit intake to about 36 grams per day.²
Some specialty coffee beverages can contain significantly higher amounts of sugar than these recommendations. Kennedy cited examples of drinks containing more than 100 grams of sugar in a single serving.
Excessive intake of added sugar has been associated with increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders when consumed frequently over time. Studies have identified sugar sweetened beverages as a major contributor to added sugar intake in many diets.³⁻⁴
Nutrition experts often advise consumers to review nutrition labels and monitor added sugar intake when choosing beverages.⁵
See more: Sweets and Sugar Spikes: The Hidden Health Cost of Festive Indulgence
Kennedy’s remarks prompted reactions in Massachusetts, where Dunkin’ was founded and remains a prominent brand. The company is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey responded to reports about the comments by posting an image of a Dunkin’ iced coffee styled after the “Come and Take It” flag on social media. The post signaled opposition to potential federal actions that could affect the company or its products.
As of the latest reports, Dunkin’ and Starbucks had not issued formal public responses to Kennedy’s remarks requesting safety data related to high sugar beverages.
References:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. 9th ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
Johnson, Rachel K., Lawrence J. Appel, Michael Brands, Barbara V. Howard, Catherine Lefevre, Robert H. Lustig, Neil Mann, et al. “Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.” Circulation 120, no. 11 (2009): 1011–1020. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192627
Malik, Vasanti S., Barry M. Popkin, George A. Bray, Jean-Pierre Després, and Frank B. Hu. “Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-analysis.” Diabetes Care 33, no. 11 (2010): 2477–2483. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc10-1079
Malik, Vasanti S., and Frank B. Hu. “Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Cardiometabolic Health: An Update of the Evidence.” Nutrients 11, no. 8 (2019): 1840. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081840
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/added-sugars-nutrition-facts-label
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