WASHINGTON — The US Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Kennedy, squeaked by in a mostly party-line vote of 52-48, with former Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell being the lone opposing GOP vote.

RFK Jr. survived contentious hearings by two Senate committees to earn the HHS appointment. Senators, primarily Democrats, grilled him over questions surrounding his acceptance of vaccines and science-based research, litigation against drug companies and scrutiny of food companies. 

In the hearings, GOP Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician, appeared conflicted over supporting Kennedy due to his lukewarm responses on the validity of vaccines and accepted scientific research. But following post-hearing discussions with the nominee, Cassidy ended up backing the president’s choice. A giant organization, HHS includes such key agencies as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 

“HHS and FDA are critical agencies for ensuring the safety and affordability of our food and drug supply,” said Leslie Sarasin, president and chief executive officer of FMI-The Food Industry Association. “FMI and our members congratulate the newly confirmed secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and look forward to collaborating with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — and the new teams at HHS and FDA — to ensure that policies and regulations enhance safety and affordability and do not unnecessarily drive up food or drug costs.”

Sarasin added, “We are ready to begin working with Secretary Kennedy to strengthen our nation’s complex and interconnected food and drug supply chain while reducing regulatory burdens to ensure that all Americans have access to safe, nutritious and affordable food.”

Will RKF Jr. create turbulence for the food industry?

Still, industry observers said RFK Jr. — as leader of the new administration’s “make America healthy again” (MAHA) movement — poses a significant concern to packaged food companies based on his past comments on food processing and ingredients. A surge in MAHA support, they explained, may lead to a public bashing of processed food companies and amplify calls for a regulatory crackdown. 

Pressure on the industry already had escalated in January, when consumers saw the FDA ban Red No. 3 coloring from food and beverages, the US Surgeon General call for a cancer risk warning on alcoholic beverage labels, California order a warning label on foods identified as ultra-processed and the FDA propose front-of-pack nutrition labels for most packaged foods.

Sounding a cooperative note, Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of federal affairs at the Consumer Brands Association, extended a hand to Kennedy in response to his HHS confirmation.

“The makers of America’s household brands deliver safe, affordable and convenient products that consumers want, need and trust,” Gallo said. “Keeping consumers and their families safe is our No. 1 priority. The federal regulatory agencies within HHS operate under a science- and risk-based mandate, and it is critical that framework remains under the new administration. As the largest domestic manufacturing employer, supporting more than 22 million American jobs, we stand ready to work with Secretary Kennedy and qualified experts within HHS to support public health, build consumer trust and promote consumer choice.”

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) voiced its support for Kennedy’s aims to lighten the regulatory burden on food producers and reduce chronic disease via the consumption of more healthful and nutritious foods.

“We look forward to working with Mr. Kennedy to advance the health of Americans by encouraging consumption of fresh, wholesome and nutritious dairy foods and protecting our nation’s consumers from foodborne illnesses,” said Michael Dykes, IDFA president and CEO. “For too long, inflexible, burdensome regulations have stifled innovation and production efficiencies for dairy processors while outdated nutrition policies have discouraged Americans from consuming milk, yogurt, cheese and other wholesome dairy products that contribute essential nutrients — including calcium, potassium, vitamin D and protein — to our diets. America’s dairy industry stands ready to support Mr. Kennedy’s efforts to combat chronic disease, reduce foodborne illnesses and ensure all Americans have access to safe and affordable dairy nutrition.”