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The White House Killed an RFK Jr. Ad Campaign. He Can Blame Kristi Noem.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had big plans for his much touted “Take Back Your Health” campaign last year. The Health Department he leads requested bids for “bold, edgy” pitches for TV and digital ads warning about the dangers of processed foods. Kennedy wanted to appear in ads wearing a device used by diabetics to track blood sugar.
None of it ever came together.
Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had rained on Kennedy’s parade. The $10 million to $20 million health campaign wasn’t officially canceled until a few weeks ago, according to a notice posted June 8 to a government website. But two sources familiar with the internal conversations told NOTUS that the reason why the campaign fell apart goes back to the immigration-related ads Noem filmed while DHS secretary.
The White House, skittish about generating negative attention and spending money on contracts amid widespread government cuts, didn’t want Kennedy featured in a campaign. It had recently received heat for the Noem ads, which cost tens of millions of dollars in contracts and featured the secretary telling illegal immigrants to self-deport.
Noem garnered even more pushback when she appeared on horseback in one ad filmed later that year. Kennedy’s senior counselor, Stefanie Spear, had narrowed down bidders for the “Take Back Your Health” campaign to three public relations firms last August when White House officials directed HHS to abort the effort, according to the two sources.
RFK Jr., Dr. Oz Unveil ‘Make Hospital Food Healthier’ Pledge
Federal officials are encouraging medical institutions to rethink their approach to patient meals, as hospital food has become the subject of jokes, complaints, and criticisms due to what some believe is a lack of quality and nutritional value. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched the “Make Hospital Food Healthier” pledge on July 8 as a voluntary effort asking hospitals to serve meals that better align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The initiative encourages hospitals to limit ultra-processed foods, reduce added sugars and sodium, and offer more nutrient-dense options that officials say can support recovery, prevent chronic disease and improve long-term health. “Patients recovering from serious medical conditions deserve better than ultra-processed and deep-fried junk foods,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement.
“Today, we’re challenging hospitals across the country to lead by example by serving nutritious, minimally processed meals that help patients heal, reduce chronic disease, and help Make America Healthy Again.” The voluntary pledge outlines several recommendations for hospitals looking to improve their food and nutrition programs.
Taco Bell Reportedly Pulls Ingredients Amid ‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Parasite Outbreak
Taco Bell has reportedly pulled select ingredients amid an investigation into a parasitic outbreak linked to cyclospora. According to TMZ, Taco Bell has reportedly removed multiple ingredients at select locations as health officials investigate a surge in cyclospora cases.
The Cleveland Clinic defines cyclosporiasis as “an illness you get from the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.” “It causes watery, and sometimes explosive, diarrhea and other stomach problems. It usually spreads from contaminated water or food. Treatment typically includes antibiotics,” the Cleveland Clinic’s page on the illness reads in part. Several symptoms are associated with the illness, though the “main symptom is loud, explosive diarrhea,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. Other symptoms include bloating, burping, gas, nausea and a loss of appetite. It can spread through contaminated water and contaminated foods. TMZ reported that the following ingredients were pulled at select Taco Bell locations in Michigan:
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- Lettuce
- Pico de gallo
- Guacamole
- Taco Bell’s cilantro-onion blend
WWJ reported that several locations in Michigan have posted signs that read as follows:
“We are currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall. We apologize for the inconvenience. Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them.”
A New Study Examines the Emerging Science Suggesting a Link Between Calorie-Free Sweeteners and Blood Sugar Control.
Since the first introduction of saccharin, an array of artificial and other non-nutritive (i.e., low-calorie or calorie-free) sweeteners have become ubiquitous in the US food supply.
However, a growing body of research suggests that these compounds are not inert in the body and may be disrupting our metabolism.
A new review and meta-analysis by researchers from the Food is Medicine Institute at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, published in Current Atherosclerosis Reports, pulls together the best available evidence on how non-nutritive sweeteners affect health.
Across 21 randomized clinical trials in adults, researchers observed that artificial and other low-calorie sweeteners, compared to non-caloric controls such as water or placebo, raised fasting insulin and HbA1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control, and showed a trend toward worsening insulin sensitivity.
“What makes our analysis notable is that by focusing on non-caloric comparators, we better isolated the direct physiological effects of the sweeteners themselves, not the calories they replace,” says first author Meng Wang, a research assistant professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. “When pooling findings from individual trials, we see signals that these compounds may have metabolic harms.”
Dippin’ Dots Relaunches Yodots Frozen Yogurt Line Without Artificial Dyes
Dairy Foods Magazine reported:
Dippin’ Dots is relaunching its YoDots frozen yogurt line with products made without artificial dyes, a key enhancement being highlighted at the ANC (Annual National Conference) this July.
The Dippin’ Dots Yogurt relaunch includes Cookies ‘n Cream, Cotton Candy and Cookie Dough flavors and reflects the brand’s continued focus on meeting the needs of the K-12 school market.
The yogurt line is also Smart Snack Approved, making it an easy fit for schools seeking products that meet federal Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. While the removal of artificial dyes does not impact taste, it supports growing interest in dye-free options within school foodservice. A Banana Split flavor is also currently in development.
