STAT News · Feb 16, 2026 · Collected from RSS
Kennedy and his MAHA allies are increasingly focused on food issues as the midterms approach.
In a TV interview, the health secretary gave few details of his plans HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a dietary guidelines announcement at agency headquarters in Washington on Jan. 8.Jacquelyn Martin/AP By Sarah ToddFeb. 15, 2026 Reporter, Commercial Determinants of Health Sarah Todd returned to reporting in January 2025 after being assignment editor at STAT since October 2022. You can reach Sarah on Signal at sarahlizchar.47. Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the starting gun in a challenge to the food industry on Sunday, announcing on CBS’ “60 Minutes” that he plans to act on a plan outlined by former Food and Drug Administration chief David Kessler to overhaul ultra-processed foods. “We will act on David Kessler’s petition,” Kennedy said on “60 Minutes.” “And the questions that he’s asking are questions that FDA should’ve been asking a long, long time ago.” It’s not yet clear when Kennedy will release his formal response to the citizen petition filed by Kessler, or what the letter will say. That leaves many of the details of his plans uncertain, including the timeline. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Reporter, Commercial Determinants of Health Sarah Todd returned to reporting in January 2025 after being assignment editor at STAT since October 2022. You can reach Sarah on Signal at sarahlizchar.47.