RFK Visits Tennessee Capitol to Discuss Diet and Processed Foods

Kennedy promotes HHS "Take Back Your Health" campaign against ultra-processed foods

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy visited the Tennessee State Capitol as part of the "Take Back Your Health Campaign," an HHS initiative to encourage Americans to eat more "real food" and avoid processed foods, which the campaign claims have contributed to skyrocketing rates of chronic diseases in the U.S.

Why it matters

The visit highlights growing concerns about the health impacts of processed and ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to a range of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and mental health issues. Tennessee has struggled with poor health outcomes, making it a key target for the HHS campaign.

The details

During his visit, Kennedy emphasized the effect certain foods can have on mental health, citing studies showing diet changes leading to improvements in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He praised Tennessee's recent bans on synthetic food dyes in schools and restrictions on using food stamps to purchase high-sugar foods. Kennedy was flanked by state Republican leadership, who touted related legislation like banning cell phones in classrooms and a $50 billion federal program to modernize rural healthcare.

  • Kennedy visited the Tennessee State Capitol on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Last year, Tennessee passed legislation banning synthetic food dyes in public schools.
  • Tennessee recently approved SNAP restrictions preventing food stamps from being used to purchase certain high-sugar foods.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, leading the "Take Back Your Health Campaign" against ultra-processed foods.

William Lamberth

Tennessee House Majority Leader, who praised legislation banning cell phones in classrooms.

Jack Johnson

Tennessee Senate Majority Leader, who thanked Kennedy for the Rural Health Transformation Program to modernize rural healthcare.

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What they’re saying

“Today, we have the highest chronic disease rate of any nation. 40% of every taxpayer dollar is going to the federal government to treat chronic disease, and we're hurting our country in all these different ways.”

— Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (timesnews.net)

“Our job is not to tell Americans what to eat... but we're going to tell you what the cost is. It seems cheap at the grocery store, but the long term cost may not be worth it. We're going to let you know that.”

— Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (timesnews.net)

What’s next

The Tennessee legislature is expected to consider additional measures to restrict access to ultra-processed foods and promote healthier eating as part of the HHS campaign.

The takeaway

Kennedy's visit to Tennessee highlights the growing national focus on the health impacts of processed and ultra-processed foods, and the state's efforts to address chronic disease rates through policy changes around food access and education.