Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined his commitment to “radical transparency” in public health initiatives during an appearance on Hannity Monday night.
Speaking with host Sean Hannity on Fox News, Kennedy discussed the role of processed foods and seed oils in the rise of chronic disease and highlighted the Trump administration’s focus on improving public health.
Hannity asked Kennedy to explain the concerns surrounding seed oils and why the administration is promoting traditional ingredients like beef tallow.
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“Well, you know, processed foods and seed oil is one of the components of processed foods,” Kennedy responded.
“And that is, you know, all the science indicates that ultra-processed foods are what are behind — the principal culprit. And it’s an extraordinary explosion, the epidemic we have of chronic disease.”
Kennedy provided historical context, comparing the prevalence of chronic disease today to the early 1960s.
“When my uncle was president, 3% of Americans had chronic disease. Today, 60% do. We have 66% of adults are diabetic or pre-diabetic, 38% of teens,” he stated.
“When you and I were kids, Sean, the average pediatrician would see one case of juvenile diabetes in his lifetime, over a 40 or 50-year career. Today, one out of every three kids who walks to his office store is diabetic or pre-diabetic.”
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Kennedy linked the increase in chronic diseases to rising healthcare costs, warning that diet-related illnesses now cost the country more than military spending.
“Diabetes and other mitochondrial diseases are now costing America more than our military budget,” Kennedy said.
“We spend two to three times on healthcare what other countries do, and we have the worst outcomes.”
Despite the nation’s advanced medical system, Kennedy argued that lifestyle and dietary choices—particularly the widespread use of ultra-processed foods—are undermining public health.
“We are poisoning ourselves and it’s coming from, you know, principally these ultra-processed foods,” he added.
Kennedy emphasized that President Donald Trump is pushing for greater transparency in food production and is encouraging companies to transition away from industrial seed oils and other harmful ingredients.
“What we’re trying to do, and this President Trump wants us to have radical transparency and to incentivize companies like this one to switch to traditional ingredients like beef tallow,” Kennedy said.
The administration’s focus on dietary reform aligns with broader efforts to address chronic disease and reduce the financial burden of healthcare on American taxpayers.
Kennedy’s comments come as the Trump administration continues working on policies aimed at improving nutrition standards and holding food producers accountable for the health impacts of their products.
With chronic illness rates rising sharply over the past several decades, the administration is looking to curb the trend through better transparency, education, and corporate accountability.
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