The health and food industries are bracing for significant changes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushes for aggressive regulatory reforms under his newly expanded influence in Washington. Kennedy’s proposed policies—ranging from tighter pesticide regulations to a reexamination of vaccine safety data—are causing widespread anxiety among corporate lobbyists and industry leaders. His agenda, if enacted, could disrupt profits across multiple sectors, leaving businesses scrambling to adjust.
Snapshot of RFK Jr.'s plan for changing the U.S. food and drug system https://t.co/iLmC7QZJMw
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Kennedy’s initiatives include a ban on highly processed foods in schools and an overhaul of federal agencies responsible for health and food regulation. These moves directly challenge longstanding industry practices, putting billions of dollars in potential revenue at risk. The ripple effects have already reached Washington’s lobbying epicenter, K Street, where confusion reigns as companies grapple with how to navigate Kennedy’s growing influence.
John Strom, special counsel at Foley and Lardner, described the mood among corporate leaders as cautious but uneasy. “It’s prudent to take a wait-and-see approach,” Strom said, advising clients to avoid an overly adversarial stance that could alienate Kennedy early on. This measured response reflects a broader strategy among lobbyists who are urging restraint while they assess the situation.
However, the stakes are high for industries in Kennedy’s crosshairs. Tightened pesticide regulations threaten agricultural profits, while a potential ban on ultra-processed school foods could force a major shift in the food production and distribution chain. The health sector, too, faces uncertainty, with Kennedy’s push to revisit vaccine safety data adding another layer of complexity.
As these proposed policies loom, companies are working to leverage any existing connections to Kennedy, aiming to soften the potential impact of his reforms. For many, the priority is maintaining a collaborative relationship rather than adopting a confrontational approach. “Companies don’t want to start off on the wrong foot with Kennedy by coming out in an extremely adversarial posture,” Strom added.
With President Trump’s recent decisions amplifying Kennedy’s platform, the industries affected are left in a state of uncertainty. Lobbyists are fielding a flurry of calls as their clients seek guidance, but one thing is clear: the potential for sweeping regulatory change has already shaken the status quo. Whether Kennedy’s policies will gain traction remains to be seen, but the health and food industries are gearing up for a possible reckoning.
