The New York Times is facing backlash online after attempting to fact-check incoming Department of Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. After the outlet tried to discredit a comment of Kennedy’s about combating processed foods in America, critics online noted that the fact-check completely failed and actually proved RFK Jr.’s point.
In a recent article titled, “Kennedy’s Vow to Take On Big Food Could Alienate His New G.O.P. Allies,” the Times claimed that RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda could disrupt relationships between the Republican Party and corporate America. However, the writer honed in on one particular claim from Kennedy regarding the amount of ingredients in the popular cereal Froot Loops compared to versions sold in other countries.
“Why do we have Froot Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients, and you go to Canada and it has two or three?” Kennedy previously said during an interview with MSNBC. The article claimed that RFK Jr. “was wrong on the ingredient count” and that the ingredients in the cereal in U.S. and Canada are “roughly the same.”
However, the author of the article continued, “But the Canadian version does have natural colorings made from blueberries and carrots while the U.S. product contains red dye 40, yellow 5 and blue 1 as well as Butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, a lab-made chemical that is used ‘for freshness,’ according to the ingredient label.”
Conservatives on social media reacted to the article, pointing out that the fact-check actually proved RFK right. “I cannot believe this is a real paragraph in The New York Times. I didn’t think they can possibly lose even more credibility. You literally can’t make this up,” Libs of TikTok wrote.
Another person commented, “They totally contradicted themselves. “he was wrong”. “The ingredient list is roughly the same”… Except for all the crap added in the US, which is exactly what RFK Jr. said. He wasn’t wrong.” One user summarized the dubious fact-check, writing, “Translation: “RFK is wrong in saying the product ingredients are different, even though we say there are different in the next sentence.”
One person in the comments section wrote a lengthy post calling the supposed health consequences of the ingredients listed in the article. “Red Dye 40 (Allura Red): Behavioral Issues: Linked to hyperactivity in children, particularly those with ADHD. Some studies suggest that eliminating Red Dye 40 can improve behavioral symptoms in sensitive children. Allergic Reactions: Can cause allergy-like reactions such as hives or asthma in some individuals. Potential Carcinogen: While not conclusively proven in humans, it has been found to be contaminated with benzidine, a known carcinogen,” they said about the red dye.
President-elect Trump recently commented on his selection of RFK Jr. to lead the HHS. “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health. The The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”
Watch CNN seemingly mock RFK Jr.’s medical condition below:
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