Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for US health secretary garners mixed industry reactions

President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has resulted in contrasting industry responses. Some stakeholders welcome Kennedy’s promise of reform to the department and its agencies, like the FDA. Others raise serious concerns regarding his lack of medical training and “anti-scientific positions.” 

Kennedy has shared several plans for the department, aiming to “make America healthy again.” For example, he called for reforming the FDA and eliminating its nutrition department, banning food additives, removing ultra-processed foods from school lunches, making nutrition education mandatory in medical schools and systemic fixes in the food system instead of relying on anti-obesity drugs. 

If confirmed by the US Senate, Kennedy would head the HHS department and its sub-departments and agencies, such as the FDA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

He has also highlighted his plans to downsize the NIH and increase the institute’s focus on chronic diseases. Concurrently, NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements shared its strategic plan for 2025–2029 to advance dietary supplement science and research, expand research capacity and foster collaboration and stewardship. 

Nutrition Insight examines the positions of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the Natural Products Association (NPA), Alkemist Labs and the Council of Responsible Nutrition (CRN).

“Threat to science”

CSPI opposes Kennedy’s nomination and that of other nominees it deems a “direct threat to science and evidence-based solutions.”

Speaking to Nutrition Insight, the organization’s president, Dr. Peter G. Lurie, argues Kennedy has “none of the relevant credentials or qualifications you’d want to see in a secretary for Health and Human Services.” 

“Based on his record, with the anti-scientific positions he’s taken on everything from vaccines to raw milk, he shouldn’t be anywhere near the science-based agencies that safeguard our nutrition, food safety or health.”

The CSPI opposes Kennedy’s nomination, referring to his “anti-scientific” positions in nutrition and health topics.Kennedy is often condemned for his anti-vaccination views, though he stresses he has never told the public not to get vaccinated. However, he has shared criticism in interviews and on social media platforms on vaccine efficacy and safety testing, for example, claiming that not all vaccines are tested against a placebo or are linked to autism. 

Lurie cautions that Kennedy could continue to sow doubt in the safety or efficacy of vaccines at the FDA, putting children and adults at greater risk of infectious disease. “He could do that in part by abusing adverse event reporting data, for instance, to create irresponsible alarms about vaccines.”

He believes Kennedy should be “nowhere near” science-based nutrition, food safety and health agencies. “We need more regulation of dietary supplements, not less.”

On the suggested reforms in the nutrition and supplement industry, Lurie comments: “The dietary supplement industry is cheering Kennedy’s nomination, which makes perfect sense. Supplement regulation desperately needs reform — but Kennedy would bring the wrong kind of change.” 

“Biggest supporter of our industry”

Meanwhile, the NPA is hopeful that Kennedy’s appointment will lead to “serious reform” at the FDA. The association has sued the FDA on several occasions, for example, on its “misapplication” of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act against nicotinamide mononucleotide, an increasingly popular healthy aging supplement. It also condemned a proposed bill mandating supplement listing in an FDA database, calling it “misguided and unnecessary.” 

The NPA has criticized the FDA’s deputy commissioner’s “antiquated views” of the supplement industry, who said there were no entry barriers in the market. 

“President-elect Trump’s nomination of Kennedyspotlights the need for this reform. We are excited about this nomination because Americans value health freedom and natural products,” states the association. 

Sudberg (on the left), the CEO of Alkemist Labs, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Image credit: Elan Sudberg).Elan Sudberg, the CEO of natural product testing laboratory Alkemist Labs, also welcomes Kennedy’s nomination. 

“I am excited that there will finally be someone in a position to influence the US government’s approach to healthcare who understands that a healthy lifestyle, a better-quality diet and access to beneficial supplements can keep the population healthier.” 

Sudberg believes Kennedy’s nutrition and health policy advocacy begins with how he “lives a healthy lifestyle and is in great shape…I infer from that alone that he’ll be the biggest supporter of our industry we’ve had in a long time.” 

“I met him a year ago and spoke about our industry. It was clear in that conversation that he is a fan of the products our industry makes and is interested in building a relationship. Since that meeting, I have been connecting his team with other industry leaders.”

Sudberg refers to Kennedy’s decades-long mission as an environmental lawyer to clean up water, land, food and drugs. “I expect he’ll be taking a deeper look into all those categories. I know first-hand that he is interested in what our industry needs from the FDA and that we will have his ear.”

Next steps

Kennedy must first be confirmed by the US Senate Finance Committee to finalize his position as HHS secretary. 

As it is yet unclear whether he will be confirmed, Steve Mister, CRN president and CEO, highlights: “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% of US citizens who rely on our members’ products.” 

Earlier this week, Nutrition Insight spoke to CSPI, the Food Research & Action Center and company Proov on how Trump’s election win could reshape the country’s food security and health policies. The experts warned of potential threats to federal food assistance programs, but also spotted potential for innovation in women’s health if regulatory barriers are eased.