RFK Jr. calls out sugar content in DUNKIN’ drinks.

The nation’s chief health secretary used his home state’s darling fast-food cafe chain as an example for high sugar content in popular beverages.

At an appearance at an Eat Real Food rally in Austin, Texas, sponsored by the non-profit MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Action, Mr. Kennedy mentioned that, “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.’ I don’t think they’re gonna be able to do it.” Multiple news outlets requested a statement from Dunkin’ but were declined.

This comes after his recent focus on food ingredients, starting a campaign based on the new Food Pyramid. The slogan ‘Eat Real Food’ was promoted in a Super Bowl ad featuring boxer Mike Tyson last month. During a ‘Take Back Your Health Tour’ speech, he invoked the name of Dunkin’ and prompted unanimous outrage from Bay Staters.

For those who are unaware, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the son of Robert F. Kennedy Sr. and nephew of President John F. Kennedy (both famously assassinated in the 1960s). Kennedy has run for president recently as both Democrat and an independent, polling at up to 16%.

Kennedy endorsed Donald Trump in exchange for the HHS Secretary post and remains independent. 

Despite his controversial reputation, he has received bipartisan support for his support of IHS (Indian Health Services) and food/agriculture reforms, including banning synthetic food dyes, increasing pesticide scrutiny, reevaluating GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) standards, and creating a new Food Pyramid.

After his speech, political figures were quick to respond to RFK Jr.’s demand of these companies; on X, Governor Healey of Massachusetts posted an altered version of the Gonzales Flag, a Texas Revolution symbol, which bears the words “COME AND TAKE IT” with a star above a cannon. The altered image replaced the cannon with a Dunkin’ cup.

Kennedy replied to Healey on X: “No one is taking away your Dunkin’. But isn’t it reasonable to ask whether a drink loaded with 180 grams of sugar is safe?” 

RFK Jr.’s initial sugar estimate (115 grams) is accurate for some medium drinks, and the second (180 grams) isn’t far off. Dunkin’s most sugary drink, a large caramel crème frozen coffee, contains 172 grams of sugar (160 grams are non-natural sweeteners). Several other large drinks exceed 115 grams, which is objectively unhealthy, especially processed and in liquid form. While not all menu items are as sugary, Kennedy’s point stands.