Robert F. Kennedy Jr. just shook the Senate with a bold and urgent message: the American food system is broken, health agencies are riddled with conflicts of interest, and chronic disease is skyrocketing because of it. His call for change couldn’t have come at a more critical time, as more Americans suffer from obesity, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and heart disease than ever before.

The tweet from George (@BehizyTweets) highlights RFK Jr.’s powerful words, where he vows to:

• Ensure tax dollars support healthy food instead of subsidizing disease-causing products.
• Scrutinize chemical additives in our food supply.
• Eliminate financial conflicts of interest in health agencies.
• Restore scientific integrity at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
• Reverse the chronic disease epidemic and put the nation back on a path to real health.

These statements challenge the powerful food and pharmaceutical industries that have dictated American health policy for decades. But what exactly is wrong with our current system? Why are chemicals, toxins, and ultra-processed foods so prevalent in the modern diet? And is it really possible to reverse the chronic disease crisis?

Let’s break it all down.

The American Food System: Poisoned by Chemicals and Corrupt Science

For years, corporate interests, Big Agriculture, and the pharmaceutical industry have controlled the narrative around health and nutrition. They fund the studies, influence public health recommendations, and profit from both the problem (processed food) and the so-called “solutions” (pharmaceutical drugs).

1. Chemical Additives in Food Are Making Us Sick

RFK Jr. specifically mentioned chemical additives in the food supply, and he’s absolutely right to call them out. Our grocery stores are loaded with toxic chemicals disguised as preservatives, artificial colors, and “flavor enhancers.” Many of these are banned in other countries but remain legal in the U.S.

Some of the most harmful additives include:

• High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): Linked to obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease, yet found in most sodas, candies, and processed snacks.
• Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin): Marketed as “healthy alternatives” to sugar, but research suggests they harm gut bacteria, disrupt insulin function, and contribute to metabolic disorders.
• Seed Oils (Canola, Soybean, Corn Oil): Found in nearly every processed food, these oils are high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and are linked to obesity, heart disease, and cognitive decline.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1): Banned in Europe due to concerns over hyperactivity and potential carcinogenic effects, yet still widely used in U.S. foods.
• Preservatives (BHA, BHT, Sodium Benzoate): Linked to hormonal imbalances and cancer risks but found in everyday products like cereals, chips, and baked goods.

Americans are unknowingly consuming these chemicals every single day, and our government is allowing it.

2. Subsidies for Processed Food While Healthy Food Is Overpriced

One of the most shocking realities about the food system is that the government financially supports the very industries making us sick. Federal subsidies pour billions of dollars into corn, wheat, and soy production, which are the primary ingredients in junk food, fast food, and ultra-processed snacks.

Instead of supporting regenerative farming, organic produce, or nutrient-dense foods, the government ensures that cheap, chemical-laden food remains abundant, while whole foods like grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, and organic vegetables remain expensive.

The result? Low-income communities suffer from the highest rates of chronic disease because the cheapest foods available are the most nutritionally void and harmful to human health.

3. Conflicts of Interest in Health Agencies

RFK Jr. also pointed out the financial corruption within health agencies like the FDA, CDC, and HHS—and he’s not wrong.

These agencies are supposed to regulate the safety of food, pharmaceuticals, and health policies, but in reality, they are deeply intertwined with corporate money. Many of their decisions are influenced by lobbyists, former executives of major food and drug companies, and industry-funded research.

Some examples of this corruption include:

• The FDA allows toxic food dyes, preservatives, and chemicals banned in Europe to remain legal in the U.S.
• The USDA promotes dietary guidelines favoring processed grains and seed oils, despite research showing their harm.
• Pharmaceutical companies fund research on cholesterol drugs, blood pressure medications, and diabetes treatments—while ignoring the role of nutrition in preventing these diseases.

When the agencies responsible for public health are financially tied to the industries profiting from disease, can we really trust their recommendations?

Can We Reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic?

The big question is whether the chronic disease crisis can actually be reversed. RFK Jr. seems to think so, but it would require massive changes to how our country handles food, medicine, and public health policy.

What Needs to Change?

• End Subsidies for Processed Food – Stop funding corn, wheat, and soy monocultures and instead support regenerative agriculture, local farms, and nutrient-dense food production.
• Ban Toxic Food Additives – If a chemical is banned in Europe, it should not be in U.S. food. Artificial colors, preservatives, and seed oils should be removed from the food supply.
• Expose Conflicts of Interest in Health Agencies – Public health guidelines should be based on independent science, not industry-funded studies. The revolving door between Big Pharma, Big Food, and regulatory agencies must end.
• Promote Real Nutrition in Medical Education – Doctors receive almost no training in nutrition, yet diet is one of the biggest factors in chronic disease. Medical schools need to prioritize food as medicine.
• Encourage Local and Organic Food Systems – Instead of relying on corporate-owned food production, we should support farmers markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and food cooperatives.

What Can Individuals Do?

While government policies may take time to change, individuals can take action now:

• Read ingredient labels and avoid artificial additives.
• Ditch seed oils and cook with real fats like olive oil, coconut oil, butter, and ghee.
• Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods over packaged snacks.
• Buy local and support farmers whenever possible.
• Spread awareness about food corruption and demand better policies.

Final Thoughts: Will RFK Jr. Change the Food and Health System?

RFK Jr.’s statements in the Senate were bold and necessary. He called out government corruption, chemical-ridden food, and the broken healthcare system that prioritizes profit over people’s health.

The question is: Will anything change?

The food and pharmaceutical industries have enormous power, but awareness is growing. More people are waking up to the reality that corporate interests dictate public health policies.

If RFK Jr. and others can push for real reform, we may finally see an end to the chronic disease epidemic and a return to food that actually nourishes us, rather than poisons us.