RFK Jr. demands Dunkin', Starbucks to prove drinks are 'safe'
WCVB • • business
Key Points:
- U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has demanded that Dunkin' and Starbucks provide safety data proving that sugary beverages, such as iced coffees with high sugar content, are safe for consumption, particularly for teenagers.
- Kennedy's demand is part of his Make America Healthy Again movement, which seeks greater scrutiny of food and beverage ingredients, especially those classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).
- The FDA is reportedly considering petitions to revoke GRAS status for certain carbohydrates and sweeteners if companies cannot demonstrate their safety, following a citizen petition led by former FDA commissioner David Kessler.
- The GRAS category, established in 1958 for ingredients with a long history of safe use,
