Latest news with #MAHA
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
RFK Jr plans major menu changes to America's favorite breakfast chain... and is met with fan fury
America's largest coffee chain is set to 'further MAHA' its menu, Robert F Kennedy Junior has said. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol told the HHS secretary he was planning to change its recipes, during a meeting on Tuesday, which the coffee chain described as 'productive'. The specific changes were not revealed, but Niccol has previously said he wants his chain's drinks to contain less sugar and to include health-promoting ingredients — potentially including protein powder. Revealing the meeting on X, RFK Jr said he was 'pleased to learn' that Starbucks menus 'already avoid artificial dyes, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and other additives'. Last week, the chain revealed it was testing a sugar-free vanilla latte topped with protein banana cold foam, and earlier this year it removed sugar from its matcha powder — after which sales of the drink spiked 40 percent. The chain has also dropped the 80-cent surcharge on its nondairy milks — which they said was to improve customer experience. Starbucks is the largest coffee chain in the US, with nearly 17,000 stores nationwide — although it has seen sales decline recently. Its proposed changes come amid a 'MAHA-isation' of America's food supply, with major corporations rushing to remove additives and artificial dyes from their products to fall more in line with the new administration's Make America Healthy Again initiative. A spokesperson for Starbucks described the meeting between RFK Jr and the chain's CEO as 'productive'. They added: 'At Starbucks, we believe choice should come with confidence. 'Our diverse menu of high-quality foods and beverages empowers customers to make informed nutritional decisions, with transparency on ingredients, calories and more.' RFK Jr's supporters were quick to react angrily to the move, however, accusing the HHS Secretary of 'propping up' a big corporation and saying Starbucks' move was 'too little, too late'. One commenter on X said: 'Sir. Why are you doing this? There are 81 grams of sugar in Starbucks' most popular drink. 'Cool they're not using dyes, or high fructose corn syrup, I'm happy about that. But, this is not what we're here to prop up. These companies should be shamed for driving the chronic disease epidemic.' A second said: 'Mr Kennedy, that's all great and all, but you do realize those drinks have an enormous amount of calories, which will do more harm than dyes and sweeteners.' Others shared the long list of ingredients in Starbucks' staples like the sausage, cheddar and egg sandwich, which included Maltodextrin and Xanthan Gum, emulsifiers linked to a higher risk of colon cancer, and ammonium sulfate, an inorganic salt often used as a fertilizer. Starbucks has regularly faced criticism over the high calorie and sugar content of its drinks — with high consumption of these linked to weight gain. Its summer menu includes a berry iced drink called Summer Skies, which has 26 grams of sugar per 16-ounce serving, and a Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher, which contains 33 grams of sugar in a 16-ounce serving. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 36 grams of added sugar a day, and women no more than 25 grams per day. During the 2024 election, Starbucks spent more than $1.5million on political lobbying efforts, donating $11,118 to the Trump campaign, records suggest, and more than $488,000 to Democrat candidates — including $158,365 to then-vice president Kamala Harris. The coffee behemoth is far from the only one making radical changes. Earlier this week, Kraft Heinz — the company behind Kraft Mac and Cheese and Heinz Ketchup — revealed it would remove artificial colors from its products by 2027. And General Mills, which produces Cheerios, also said it would banish artificial colors from its foods by the same year.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
RFK Jr. says Starbucks will ‘MAHA its menu' — and praises chain for avoiding artificial dyes and flavors
Starbucks' top executive has agreed to further align its menu with the Trump administration's health goals under its 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, who has been examining the nation's food system to address the root causes of childhood chronic disease, said in a post on X that he met with Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol on Tuesday, who 'shared the company's plans to further MAHA its menu.' During the discussion, Kennedy said he was 'pleased to learn that Starbucks' food and beverages already avoid artificial dyes, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and other additives.' Starbucks said the meeting with Kennedy was productive. The company, which announced earlier this year that it was cutting 30% of its menu in order to simplify operations and drive innovation, has already been testing healthier drink options such as a sugar-free vanilla latte topped with protein banana cold foam. 3 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol. X/@SecKennedy 3 Starbucks said the meeting with Kennedy was productive. Bloomberg via Getty Images 'Our diverse menu of high-quality foods and beverages empower customers to make informed nutritional decisions, with transparency on ingredients, calories, and more. Plus, we keep it real — no high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, flavors, or artificial trans-fats,' Starbucks said in a statement to FOX Business. Under the MAHA initiative, the administration said it would 'lead a coordinated transformation of our food, health, and scientific systems' that it believes will 'ensure that all Americans — today and in the future — live longer, healthier lives, supported by systems that prioritize prevention, well being, and resilience.' 3 Kennedy has taken issue with various ingredients, saying that products such as seed oil and FD&C color additives are harmful to humans. NurPhoto via Getty Images Kennedy has taken issue with various ingredients, saying that products such as seed oil and FD&C color additives are harmful to humans. Kennedy has specifically been working to cut out the color additives from the U.S. food supply, saying the 'poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children's health and development.' Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! Kennedy and the FDA announced a series of new measures in April to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply. Kennedy noted that this effort would need voluntary support from food manufacturers, but that the 'industry has voluntarily agreed' to do so. Two major food giants, General Mills and Kraft Heinz, pledged this week to remove FD&C artificial dyes from their respective portfolio of products within the next two years. McCormick told analysts during its earnings call in March that it has been working with restaurants and foodmakers to reformulate products to remove certain ingredients like food dyes.
New York Post
10 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Starbucks will improve menu to fit ‘MAHA' initiative, RFK Jr. says
Starbucks' top executive has agreed to further align its menu with the Trump administration's health goals under its 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, who has been examining the nation's food system to address the root causes of childhood chronic disease, said in a post on X that he met with Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol on Tuesday, who 'shared the company's plans to further MAHA its menu.' Advertisement During the discussion, Kennedy said he was 'pleased to learn that Starbucks' food and beverages already avoid artificial dyes, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and other additives.' Starbucks said the meeting with Kennedy was productive. The company, which announced earlier this year that it was cutting 30% of its menu in order to simplify operations and drive innovation, has already been testing healthier drink options such as a sugar-free vanilla latte topped with protein banana cold foam. 3 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol. X/@SecKennedy 3 Starbucks said the meeting with Kennedy was productive. Bloomberg via Getty Images Advertisement 'Our diverse menu of high-quality foods and beverages empower customers to make informed nutritional decisions, with transparency on ingredients, calories, and more. Plus, we keep it real—no high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, flavors, or artificial trans-fats,' Starbucks said in a statement to FOX Business. Under the MAHA initiative, the administration said it would 'lead a coordinated transformation of our food, health, and scientific systems' that it believes will 'ensure that all Americans—today and in the future—live longer, healthier lives, supported by systems that prioritize prevention, well being, and resilience.' 3 Kennedy has taken issue with various ingredients, saying that products such as seed oil and FD&C color additives are harmful to humans. NurPhoto via Getty Images Kennedy has taken issue with various ingredients, saying that products such as seed oil and FD&C color additives are harmful to humans. Advertisement Kennedy has specifically been working to cut out the color additives from the U.S. food supply, saying the 'poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children's health and development.' Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! Kennedy and the FDA announced a series of new measures in April to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply. Kennedy noted that this effort would need voluntary support from food manufacturers, but that the 'industry has voluntarily agreed' to do so. Advertisement Two major food giants, General Mills and Kraft Heinz, pledged this week to remove FD&C artificial dyes from their respective portfolio of products within the next two years. McCormick told analysts during its earnings call in March that it has been working with restaurants and foodmakers to reformulate products to remove certain ingredients like food dyes.
The Hill
a day ago
- Business
- The Hill
RFK Jr: Starbucks will ‘further MAHA its menu'; Heinz, Kraft removing artificial dyes
Robby Soave and Niall Stanage discuss how Starbucks is planning to implement HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s, "MAHA."
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
CHARLEBOIS: The fall of artificial colours in food
When consumer trust is on the line, even Big Food knows that fake colour doesn't sell Kraft Heinz brand Jell-O boxes line a stores shelf on June 18, 2025 in Miami. The company announced that it will remove FD&C artificial dyes from its products by the end of 2027. Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images This week, General Mills announced it will remove all artificial colours from its U.S. products, just hours after Kraft Heinz made a similar commitment. Both companies are giving themselves two years to complete the transition — a realistic timeline, given that reformulating food products can be as complex as redesigning a vehicle. It typically takes two to three years to test, approve and scale up new ingredients. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account What's extraordinary is that these changes are happening voluntarily. There is no government ban. No regulatory mandate. These companies are simply responding to market pressures — pressures rooted in a growing consumer demand for 'clean labels.' Some attribute this momentum to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) initiative. While better known for his controversial stance on vaccines, RFK Jr. has long advocated for the naturalization of food systems. Now, as health secretary, he's in a position to shape policy — and public sentiment — in ways that may accelerate the move away from artificial ingredients. Some of the movement is evidence-based. While artificial food dyes such as Red 40 and Yellow 5 have been approved by regulators and deemed safe in small doses, concerns remain — particularly among parents and pediatric health professionals. Emerging research suggests a link between certain dyes and behavioral issues, including hyperactivity in children. Europe has already imposed stricter labelling rules and encouraged the use of natural alternatives. North American regulations, by contrast, remain relatively permissive. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But make no mistake: This shift is primarily driven by politics and market optics. Consumers have been expressing discomfort with artificial additives for years, and large Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies like General Mills and Kraft Heinz have seen the writing on the wall. Clean-label expectations are no longer niche — they are mainstream. The implications are significant. With major industry players moving simultaneously, the economics of natural dyes could change rapidly. Today, natural alternatives such as beet juice, turmeric, and carrot extract are more expensive and less stable than synthetic counterparts. But as demand increases and supply chains adapt, these costs are likely to fall. Importantly, when all competitors shift at the same time, the playing field is level — there's less fear of losing market share to a more colourful, artificially enhanced rival. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada will inevitably feel the ripple effects. Many food products on Canadian shelves are imported from U.S. facilities. It is unlikely that manufacturers will maintain separate formulations for a relatively small market like Canada. As a result, Canadians can expect to see more artificial dye-free products, regardless of whether the federal government acts. That said, Health Canada may choose to respond, but it may not matter. Canadian manufacturers who export to the U.S. will face mounting pressure to align with cleaner label expectations, especially if U.S. retailers begin to phase out artificially coloured products. While Canada regulates artificial dyes through dosage limits and labelling requirements, public concern continues to rise. For consumers hoping artificial colours will disappear from their food, change is coming — and soon. And here's the good news: Because the shift is industry-wide, the economics suggest food prices won't rise due to the use of natural dyes. In fact, the transition may lead to better transparency, more innovation, and healthier choices — without a hit to the wallet. — Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is the Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and co-host of The Food Professor Podcast NHL Soccer Columnists Sunshine Girls Canada
