Is the federal government coming to pry the Dunkin’ coffee from your cold dead hands?
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy recently took aim at the Massachusetts-based company while speaking at a rally, seemingly threatening to tighten regulations that allow Dunkin’ to sell high-calorie beverages such as coffee and lattes.
Speaking at a rally in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 26, Kennedy took aim at processed foods and singled out Dunkin’ and Starbucks for particular scrutiny, according to the Boston Globe.
“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,’” Kennedy said. “I don’t think they’re gonna be able to do it.”
Dunkin’ recently began testing a 48-ounce bucket of coffee, making the item available at a handful of Massachusetts stores. Based on nutrition information provided by Dunkin’, a 48-ounce latte could include more than 1,000 calories and 180 grams of sugar, depending on the order.
Dunkin’ did not respond to a request for comment.
Kennedy was a controversial choice when he was appointed by President Donald Trump last year. Kennedy has been a strong anti-vaccine voice and has backed a litany of conspiracy theories tied to health and safety issues.
At the same Austin rally, Kennedy told Americans concerned about the rising cost of beef to eat liver or “cheap cuts” of meat instead.