Is RFK Jr. Going to Ban Dunkin' Coffee?
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. singled out Dunkin' and Starbucks at a rally in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 26, threatening to demand safety data from both companies over their high-calorie, high-sugar beverages.
Speaking to the crowd, Kennedy questioned whether either chain could prove it was safe for teenage girls to consume drinks loaded with over 100 grams of sugar. "I don't think they're gonna be able to do it," he said.
What Kennedy Said
Kennedy framed his comments around processed foods and the health risks he believes they pose to young people. He specifically called out iced coffees and lattes with extreme sugar content as products that should face regulatory scrutiny.
"We're going to ask Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks, 'Show us the safety data that show that it's OK for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it,'" Kennedy said at the rally.
It is not clear what specific regulatory action, if any, Kennedy plans to pursue. Dunkin' did not respond to a request for comment.
The 48-Ounce Bucket
Kennedy's comments come as Dunkin' has been testing a 48-ounce bucket-sized coffee at a small number of stores in Massachusetts. Based on nutrition data provided by Dunkin', a 48-ounce latte could contain more than 1,000 calories and upward of 180 grams of sugar depending on how it is ordered.
The product has drawn widespread attention online and in the press since it was first reported.
A Controversial Health Secretary
RFK Jr. was a polarizing pick when President Donald Trump nominated him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. He has a long record as a vocal opponent of vaccines and has publicly backed numerous health-related conspiracy theories.
At the same Austin rally, Kennedy advised Americans worried about the rising cost of beef to eat liver or cheaper cuts of meat as an alternative.
What It Means for Consumers
For now, no regulations have been announced and no formal action has been taken against Dunkin' or Starbucks. Kennedy's comments appear to be a public warning shot rather than an immediate policy move.
Whether his agency follows through with demands for safety documentation remains to be seen. Both chains continue to sell their full menus without restriction.
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