Owner Of Twinkies Issues Message Directed At Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The owner of Twinkies issued a message for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee to head Health and Human Services (HHS).

One of RFK Jr.’s objectives is to combat chronic disease in the United States and ultra-processed foods.

The former presidential candidate has stressed Americans changing their dietary habits to overcome obesity, diabetes, and other conditions.

According to the Daily Mail, RFK Jr. has targeted artificial food colorings, pesticides, and weight loss drugs like Ozempic.

Mark Smucker, CEO of Twinkies maker J.M. Smucker, said: “We believe very strongly that snacking continues.”

“Consumers are going to continue to look for a way to reward themselves at different times throughout the day,” he added.

“We believe very strongly that snacking continues” pic.twitter.com/cdHIj1V8IJ

— An0maly (@LegendaryEnergy) December 1, 2024

Daily Mail reports:

While Mr Smucker is confident Americans will continue buying ultra-processed products like Twinkies, he noted that the company may adjust some of its product ingredients to accommodate consumers on weight loss medications like Ozempic.

He said: ‘We continue to do an ongoing research on the impact of GLP-1 trends and what that might mean for our business.

‘We could look at reducing sugar. There’s a whole variety of innovations that we will bring to bear.’

Kennedy still has to be confirmed by the Senate before he can be appointed HHS secretary. It’s also unclear what his specific policies will entail if he is confirmed.

He has, however, expressed interest in limiting additives like Yellow 5, Red 40, and high fructose corn syrup, all of which are listed on the Twinkies ingredient label.

Red 40 and Yellows 5 and 6 are dyes used to give processed foods like Twinkies their bright colors.

“Nobody is trying to take away Twinkies. But it is worth asking whether it makes sense that this garbage is SNAP-eligible,” Calley Means commented.

Nobody is trying to take away Twinkies.

But it is worth asking whether it makes sense that this garbage is SNAP-eligible. https://t.co/OVKEMoGcav pic.twitter.com/HJmb29yns1

— Calley Means (@calleymeans) December 1, 2024

“Twinkies being SNAP eligible tells us everything we need to know about subsidies, welfare and giveaways by the government. Who benefits in the Twinkie SNAP eligibility situation?’ another X user said.

Twinkies being SNAP eligible tells us everything we need to know about subsidies, welfare and giveaways by the government. Who benefits in the Twinkie SNAP eligibility situation?
1. The child consumer in regards to getting necessary nutrition? NO.
2. The company that makes… https://t.co/sdJWJVLaYR

— JB (@SimmonsBart) December 1, 2024

Per CNN:

The food giant’s answer came in response to an analyst question about whether Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda could hurt the company. Kennedy, who President-elect Donald Trump has picked as his nominee for secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, has advocated for banning artificial food coloring and pesticides. He has also proposed limiting access to soda and processed foods through school lunches and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Kennedy has said there are “chemical poisons” in chips, gummy bears and other popular snacks and wants to ban them.

Kennedy “takes a much more hostile view of food companies than previous administrations,” Alexia Howard, an analyst at Bernstein, said in a report to clients last week. “Potential policy changes could impact the (food) sector.” Pepsi, General Mills, Kellogg, Kraft Heinz and other food giants’ stocks fell sharply earlier this month when Trump announced Kennedy’s nomination.

Kennedy still has to be confirmed by the US Senate, and it’s not clear what his specific plans are, nor whether cracking down on food companies will be a priority for a Trump administration that has promised sweeping deregulation of industries.

Food companies aren’t betting on Kennedy and the Trump administration to influence their businesses and Americans’ eating habits.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.