Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new Health and Human Services secretary under President Donald Trump, sat down with CBS News for his first network TV interview, aired Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
Chatting with chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, RFK Jr. outlined his plans—tackling food dyes, weighing in on the measles vaccine, and laying out his take on America’s health challenges. The 33-minute talk, taped in D.C., offered a clear glimpse at what he’s bringing to HHS.
Kennedy started with a push on food dyes, linking them to problems like ADHD, allergies, and even cancer risks.
He’s already met with execs from major food companies—think Kellogg’s, Kraft, General Mills—and gave them a firm two-year deadline to strip artificial colors from their lineups. “We’re moving to standards like Europe and Canada,” he said, pointing to countries where dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are either banned or heavily restricted.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on CBS News
“These chemicals are off-limits there for a reason—our kids shouldn’t be test subjects for this stuff.” Companies are now racing to tweak recipes for staples like Froot Loops and mac-and-cheese, swapping synthetics for natural hues like beet juice or turmeric.
On measles, RFK Jr. kept it straightforward but cautious. “The federal government’s position, my position, is that people should get the measles vaccine,” he told LaPook, referencing a nasty outbreak that’s clocked over 600 cases in 2025, mostly in unvaccinated pockets of West Texas and rural Ohio. This was a distinct difference from anything RFK Jr. has said before.
But he was quick to add: “The government should not be mandating those.” It’s a softer stance from a guy known for questioning vaccine safety, aimed at keeping his base on board. “I’m not here to take vaccines away,” he said. “I want good science so people can decide for themselves.”
With two kids and an adult dead from measles this year, he’s nudging folks toward the shot without twisting arms.
The rest of the chat dug into his “Make America Healthy Again” ideas. He swiped at the FDA, calling it too tight with Big Pharma and food giants.
“They’re not regulating food—they’re just signing off on junk,” he said, griping about processed goods loaded with preservatives and additives. He announced that the federal government would be abandoning the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) Standard.
He suggested trimming HHS fat, floating cuts to programs he labeled “bloated” or “woke”—like diversity initiatives or obscure grants. When LaPook pressed him on specifics, like a rumored $12 biållion slash to public health funds, he dodged: “I’m not familiar with all that yet.” It’s Kennedy’s style—big swings, light on the nitty-gritty.
He opened up about addiction, too, tying it to his own losses. “We’ve got to stop the pill mills and the street poison,” he said, promising a hard line on opioid dealers and shady pharmacies.
He name-checked the Sacklers—Purdue Pharma’s old bosses—saying their OxyContin push “gutted” his generation. On weight loss drugs like Ozempic, he stayed wary but open: “If they work, great—but let’s not ignore the side effects Big Pharma downplays,” citing nausea and thyroid risks he claims get swept under the rug.
This was RFK Jr.’s opening move—less drama, more a steady roll-out of what’s on his plate. He’s got two years to nudge food companies toward cleaner labels and a measles mess to handle with a light touch. Whether he’s onto something or just stirring the pot, one thing’s for sure: Kennedy’s in the driver’s seat at HHS, and he’s not planning to sit still.
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