Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
MEDFORD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has set his eyes on an iconic Massachusetts-based food chain, and some residents said it’s an overstep by the government.
At a recent stop of his ‘Make American Healthy Again’ tour, RFK Jr. singled out U.S. coffee giants Dunkin’ and Starbucks over their excessive use of sugar in coffee drinks.
“We’re going to ask Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, ‘Show us the safety data that show that it’s OK for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it,’” he said to the audience.
Some Bostonians told WBZ NewsRadio that parents should be the ones teaching and controlling sugar intake for children, not the government.
“Government should be hands off, in general, on things,” Gaye Ohanesian of Medford said. “Parents should be the one who educate their children.”
Robert also agrees, adding that parents should be the voice to put pressure on corporations.
“I also don’t think Starbucks and Dunkin’ should be putting more sugar than necessary in coffee,” he continued.
While some agree that sugar intake is an important issue in American nutritional healthcare, Theresa of Medford said she doesn’t know if “coffee shops are the best target.”
Gov. Maura Healey seemed to push back against the health secretary by posting an image of a Dunkin’ cup with the words “COME AND TAKE IT.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.