Health Secretary’s ultra-processed foods crusade has millions questioning their favorite plant-based beverages
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has declared an all-out war on ultra-processed foods, and your beloved almond milk might be caught in the crossfire. As of July 26, 2025, ultra-processed foods are undergoing increased scrutiny as Kennedy and his supporters blame these often tasty snacks for contributing to chronic diseases in the U.S.
The Shocking Truth About Your “Healthy” Almond Milk
While Kennedy positions himself as America’s food warrior, the reality is more complex than his black-and-white rhetoric suggests. Plant-based products like fortified plant milks are some of the most criticized ultra-processed foods of all, but studies indicate that even processed options are typically healthier and more sustainable than their conventional counterparts.
Here’s what makes this controversy explosive:
The technical definition of ultra-processed foods includes many items we consider healthy. Anything that has milk in it is considered “ultra-processed”—unless that milk has been industrially processed to remove the lactose, creating a confusing paradox for consumers trying to make healthy choices.
RFK Jr.’s Mixed Messages Create Consumer Chaos
Kennedy’s approach has been inconsistent at best. Kennedy said during his Jan. 29 appearance before the Senate Committee on Finance that he does not plan to take ultra-processed foods off the market, despite his inflammatory rhetoric calling them “poison.”
The controversy deepened when investigations revealed Kennedy’s own contradictions. RFK Jr. promoted a food company he says will make Americans healthy, yet their meals are ultraprocessed, though the company claims their products “do not include ingredients that are commonly found in ultra-processed foods” such as synthetic food dyes and high fructose corn syrup.
The Plant-Based Industry Under Fire
Kennedy’s appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services on February 13, 2025, following a narrow senate vote of 52-48, has ignited discussions about the future of the USA’s food policies, particularly regarding ultra-processed foods and their impact on public health.
Plant-based milk manufacturers are particularly vulnerable because their products often require:
- Stabilizers and emulsifiers
- Fortification with vitamins and minerals
- Processing to achieve milk-like consistency
- Preservation methods for shelf stability
What This Means for Your Daily Routine
HHS is pursuing a “bold, edgy” “Take Back Your Health” campaign against ultra-processed food, linking it to diabetes and chronic disease. This aggressive messaging could dramatically shift consumer behavior.
The immediate impact includes:
- Increased scrutiny of plant-based milk labels
- Consumer confusion about “healthy” processed foods
- Potential regulatory changes affecting food manufacturing
- Market volatility for plant-based companies
The Science Kennedy Ignores
Just because something’s organic doesn’t make it automatically healthy and processed doesn’t always mean unhealthy. Nutrition experts argue that Kennedy’s oversimplified approach ignores the nuanced science of food processing.
Not all ultraprocessed foods are unhealthy, and many provide essential nutrients that would be difficult to obtain otherwise, particularly for people following plant-based diets.
The Raw Milk Contradiction
Adding to the confusion, Kennedy drinks raw milk, which can pose a serious health risk, especially for children and older adults. This preference for unprocessed dairy while attacking processed plant alternatives highlights the inconsistencies in his food philosophy.
Kennedy announced he wants to expand dairy recommendations in the federal dietary guidelines, potentially at the expense of plant-based alternatives that many Americans rely on for health, environmental, or ethical reasons.
What Happens Next?
In the Trump administration’s quest to “Make America Healthy Again,” there may be no bigger target than ultraprocessed foods. However, the practical implementation remains unclear.
Key questions remain:
- Will labeling requirements change for plant-based milks?
- How will the administration define “acceptable” processing?
- What alternatives will be promoted for consumers who can’t or won’t consume dairy?
The Bottom Line: Don’t Panic Yet
While Kennedy’s rhetoric is alarming, he does not plan to take ultra-processed foods off the market. Your almond milk isn’t disappearing overnight, but the conversation around food processing is changing rapidly.
The real challenge lies in educating consumers about the difference between harmful ultra-processing (like adding artificial colors and preservatives) and beneficial processing (like fortification with essential nutrients).
Stay informed, not inflamed. The food revolution Kennedy promises may be more about messaging than meaningful change, but the impact on consumer choices and industry practices could be significant.
As this story develops, the fate of your morning almond milk latte hangs in the balance of political rhetoric versus scientific evidence. One thing is certain: the American food landscape is about to get a lot more complicated.