RFK Jr. on 60 Minutes: Food Industry's GRAS 'Loophole' Fuels Health Crisis
In a compelling segment on CBS News' iconic program 60 Minutes, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sounded the alarm on the pervasive presence of ultraprocessed foods in the American diet. Joined by acclaimed author Michael Pollan, Kennedy Jr. detailed how a long-standing government exemption, known as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), has been exploited by ultraprocessed food manufacturers to introduce potentially harmful ingredients into our food supply without rigorous government oversight.
The GRAS Exemption: A 'Hijacked' Loophole
According to Kennedy Jr., the GRAS exemption, established by Congress in 1958, was intended to allow ingredients that are widely accepted by experts as safe. However, he argues that the food industry has effectively "hijacked" this loophole. This has led to a proliferation of ultraprocessed foods, which now constitute roughly half of the average American's diet. Kennedy Jr. asserts that these products are contributing significantly to the nation's obesity and simultaneous malnutrition crisis.
"There is no way for any American to know if a product is safe if it is ultraprocessed," Kennedy Jr. stated during the interview with 60 Minutes correspondent Bill Whitaker. He highlighted that the sheer volume of ingredients used in these foods, estimated to be between 4,000 and 10,000, makes it impossible for consumers to be informed about what they are actually consuming.
Michael Pollan Links Ubiquity to Subsidies
Author and food advocate Michael Pollan, a long-time critic of factory-processed foods, connected the widespread availability of these products to federal farm subsidies. Billions of dollars from the Farm Bill are directed towards corn and soybean farmers. Pollan clarified that this is not about corn on the cob or edamame, but rather "commodity corn" and "commodity soy," which serve as raw ingredients for processed foods and animal feed.
"Cheap food is the goal of all governments," Pollan explained. He raised concerns that removing these subsidies could increase the price of corn, impacting the entire food industry, which wields significant lobbying power, and potentially affecting consumers.
Health Consequences of Ultraprocessed Foods
The potential health ramifications of consuming ultraprocessed foods were underscored by former FDA head Dr. David Kessler. He described these products as "energy dense, highly palatable and rapidly absorbable," suggesting that human biology is not equipped to handle them. Dr. Kessler stated that these foods have "altered our metabolism and have resulted in the greatest increase in chronic disease in our history." He identified ultraprocessed foods as a primary driver of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
The Consumer Brands Association, representing a large portion of the food industry, defended the GRAS process. They stated that it enables companies to "innovate to meet consumer demand" and that "food companies adhere to FDA's science and risk-based evaluation of ingredients in the food supply before and after they are in the marketplace." The American Farm Bureau Federation also commented, emphasizing that "a healthy diet relies on a variety of nutrient-dense foods and a balance of healthy fats, carbohydrates, protein and fiber, some of which can come from shelf-stable foods."
The Fight for Transparency and Healthier Diets
The 60 Minutes report brings renewed attention to the critical need for greater transparency in the food industry and stronger regulatory oversight. Kennedy Jr.'s claims, supported by Pollan's analysis of agricultural policy and Kessler's scientific perspective, paint a stark picture of how a system designed for safety may be contributing to a national health crisis. As Americans grapple with rising rates of chronic diseases, the conversation initiated by this 60 Minutes investigation is more crucial than ever in pushing for a healthier, more informed food future.