Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently endorsed President-elect Donald Trump, has called for sweeping changes within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), arguing that certain departments are failing to protect Americans’ health.
In recent interviews, Kennedy pointed specifically to the FDA’s nutrition division, which he claims isn’t fulfilling its role in safeguarding children.
“There are entire departments, like the nutrition department at the FDA, that have to go—they’re not doing their job. They’re not protecting our kids,” Kennedy said in a recent interview on MSNBC.
He criticized the FDA for allowing products with numerous additives, noting that similar products sold in other countries often have fewer ingredients. This discrepancy, he suggested, reflects a lack of protective oversight in the U.S. food industry.
When asked if he would seek to eliminate entire agencies, Kennedy clarified that while he would not shut down agencies like the FDA without congressional approval, he would prioritize tackling corruption within them.
“To eliminate the agencies, as long as it requires congressional approval, I wouldn’t be doing that,” he explained, adding that his primary goal is to clean up federal health agencies rather than close them.
With decades of experience in litigating against these institutions, Kennedy has pledged to fight what he calls “corporate corruption,” aiming to ensure that public health policies reflect unbiased, evidence-based science.
Kennedy reiterated his commitment to reform on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “President Trump has asked me to do three things:
- Clean up the corruption in our government health agencies.
- Return those agencies to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science.
- Make America Healthy Again by ending the chronic disease epidemic.”
Although Kennedy has not confirmed a specific role in the new administration, Trump has repeatedly hinted at a possible position for him in health reform.
During a rally at Madison Square Garden, Trump expressed his confidence in Kennedy’s ability to tackle health issues.
“I’m going to let him go wild on the food. I’m going to let him go wild on the medicines,” Trump stated, mentioning that he supports Kennedy’s strong stance on public health reform.
Kennedy has also voiced more controversial health ideas, such as removing fluoride from U.S. drinking water.
He posted on social media that the Trump administration could advise water systems nationwide to halt fluoride usage, claiming it poses risks like lowered IQ in children and other health concerns.
While Trump has yet to officially endorse this proposal, he indicated a willingness to discuss it
further, noting the importance of protecting Americans from potentially harmful substances.
Kennedy’s recent calls for FDA reform and his partnership with Trump’s administration reflect a potential shift in public health policy.
By advocating for a leaner, more accountable FDA, Kennedy aims to tackle what he sees as corporate interests overshadowing health priorities and to restore the agency’s commitment to science-driven, unbiased standards.