On Nov. 14, President-elect Donald Trump nominated environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) as director of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
After ending his own presidential campaign, Kennedy endorsed Trump and has since launched “Make America Healthy Again,” a campaign that “prioritizes regenerative agriculture, protects natural resources and removed harmful toxins from our food, water and air.”
However, Kennedy has faced controversy for spreading medical disinformation including vaccines causing autism and fluoride poisoning drinking water.
Several industry professionals and trade associations expressed mixed opinions on the potential ramifications of the nomination on the dietary supplements natural products industry.
Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of Natural Products Association (NPA): The FDA is in need of serious reform. President elect Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spotlights the need for this reform. We are excited about this nomination because Americans value health freedom and natural products.
Steve Mister, president and CEO of Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN): Whoever ultimately assumes the role of HHS Secretary, we look forward to working collaboratively with them to advance our shared understanding of the nutritional benefits of dietary supplements and functional foods. Our priority will always be to champion the health and well-being of consumers and to uphold the trust and confidence of the 75 percent of Americans who rely on our members’ products.
Michael McGuffin, president of American Herbal Products Association (AHPA): AHPA is committed to engaging with public health leadership within the incoming administration in support of our mission to ensure access to safe, high-quality dietary supplements. A key element of AHPA’s approach is maintaining and building our network of contacts at all levels of government so that we can have a strong voice for our members, no matter how the regulatory landscape may be transformed. Our focus will remain on advancing policies that support consumer safety, transparency, and access to trusted products.
Scott Melville, president and CEO of Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA): The president-elect has announced his intention to nominate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services. This position is critically important to the health of all Americans, as it establishes priorities and oversees–among many other essential public health functions–the regulation of consumer health care, including OTC drugs and devices and dietary supplements. Consumers rely upon an evidence-based regulatory framework to ensure the products they choose are safe and beneficial as labeled. And public health decisions must always be grounded in strong science. CHPA and its member companies share Mr. Kennedy’s stated intent to improve the public health and provide greater choice for consumers in their self-care options, and we look forward to learning more about his positions and priorities as he proceeds through the confirmation process.
Gene Bruno, The Vitamin Professor, chief scientific officer at Nutraland USA, Irvine, CA: Speaking strictly from a pragmatic standpoint—and setting aside any discussion about the conflict that many people are experiencing regarding the election outcomes—it is important to ask the question “What do we know or think we know about the impact that RFK Jr. might have on the dietary supplement industry as HHS secretary?” A recent member communication from UNPA provides some insight that—to my mind—helps answer this question. His “Make America Healthy Again” movement has had a focus on foods and food additives. Many of his assertions are being challenged by the scientific community. His focus on improved nutrition to reduce the burden of chronic disease provides an opportunity to emphasize the important role of supplements and other natural products. The FDA’s long-established animosity toward supplements has impaired the ability of consumers to access safe and well-regulated supplements. The new Administration’s intent to “clean house” at agencies like FDA, could be a good thing for our industry. Of course, last point is speculation. We won’t know until things move forward. Meanwhile, we hope for the best.
Jim Roza, chief scientific officer at Layn Natural Ingredients, Irvine, CA: The appointment of RFK as Health and Human secretary will challenge accepted orthodoxy regarding the safety and well-being of Americans. His opposition to fluoride in drinking water, the use of food dyes and processed foods promises to usher in needed changes to how the government and food companies manage the nutritional needs of consumers. His promise to take on Big Pharma regarding drug advertising would be a relief to all the ads we’re inundated with daily that only serve to fill their coffers. Lastly, his skepticism regarding vaccines will serve to open discussion regarding their safety and the necessity of these drugs.
At the time of the nomination, Trump wrote on social media, “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to public health. The safety and health of all Americans is the most important role of any administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming health crisis in this country.”
Kennedy thanked Trump for the nomination, stating there is a “generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.
“I look forward to working with the more than 80,000 employees at HHS to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth,” Kennedy wrote. “Together we will clean up corruption, stop the revolving door between industry and government, and return our health agencies to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science. I will provide Americans with transparency and access to all the data so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families.”
