Washington, DC—Industry leaders are reacting to the news that President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his nominee to run the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As CBS news reported, Trump announced his choice in a post on X: "I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)," adding that Americans have been "crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation" about public health, and Kennedy would "Make America Great and Healthy Again!"

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In a video posted to his Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) website (www.mahanow.org) on November 20, RFK Jr. said President-elect Trump has given him to do three directives. He has been asked to:

  1. Clean up the corruption in government health agencies.
  2. Return government health agencies "to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science."
  3. Make America Healthy Again by ending the chronic disease epidemic.

The MAHA website also states, "The pharmaceutical megacorporations are by far the most heavily fined and criminally prosecuted companies in America, yet also some of the most powerful."

Industry reacts to RFK Jr. nomination

The Natural Products Association (NPA) issued the following statement: "The FDA is in need of serious reform. President-elect Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spotlights the need for this reform. We are excited about this nomination because Americans value health, freedom, and natural products."

Scott C. Tips, JD, President of the National Health Federation (NHF) and legal columnist for WholeFoods Magazine, shared his thoughts on the nomination: "To say that President-elect Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services is a Godsend would be an understatement. Finally having someone heading that Department who has the integrity, courage, and wisdom to convert it from a Department of Disease and Anti-Human Services into an entity that brings health to all Americans is an answer to our prayers and hard work over the years. It also shows Bobby's political acumen and 'street smarts' to convert his presidential campaign into an alignment with Trump that resulted in him getting this powerful position. Now, with 80,000 employees in the Department, the real hat trick for Bobby will be to put his great ideas into effect. The National Health Federation is happy to support him in any way that we can, and he certainly has all of our good will to accomplish his vital mission."

American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) President Michael McGuffin also issued a statement on the appointment: "AHPA is committed to engaging with public health leadership within the incoming administration in support of our mission to ensure access to safe, high-quality dietary supplements. A key element of AHPA’s approach is maintaining and building our network of contacts at all levels of government so that we can have a strong voice for our members, no matter how the regulatory landscape may be transformed. Our focus will remain on advancing policies that support consumer safety, transparency, and access to trusted products."

NPA issues a call to action on RFK, Jr.: 

"For maybe the first time since the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, there is a unified effort to protect and expand health freedoms across the nation. RFK Jr. has shown a consistent commitment to public health and individual rights, and he is a strong advocate for the natural products industry. Under his leadership, we are confident that the Department of Health and Human Services will support policies that help bring world-class supplements to Americans without added unnecessary regulation or barriers. Please take a moment today to contact your members of Congress and let them know that you support RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary. Your voice can help ensure that we have a leader who will prioritize consumer choice, public health, and the growth of the natural products industry."

Supplement-focused attorneys nominated for HHS adviser role 

In related news, Scott Tips has been nominated as an adviser to the Department of Health and Human Service or Department of Agriculture.Also nominated for the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Department of Justice: Rick Collins, Founding Partner at Collins Gann McCloskey & Barry, PLLC

In a post on LinkedIn, Collins shared, "I’d love to have my voice heard to help improve the health of all Americans. The more support I receive, the better my chances at having a seat at the table for all of us."

Those interested in learning more and voting can do so here:

More insights at Naturally Informed virtual conferences

Industry leaders will be sharing more insights on the impact the incoming administration will have on the natural products industry at the upcoming Naturally Informed virtual conference Active Aging: Mastering the Market, taking place December 10-12. Registration is free and open now.