The Health and Human Services secretary isn’t sweet on sugar, posing both a threat and an opportunity to emerging companies.

BY MELISSA ANGELL, POLICY CORRESPONDENT @MELISSKAWRITES

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Illustration: Inc; Photo: Getty Images

In his role as Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed some controversial views—among them, vaccines aren’t effective and fluoridated water is unnecessary. Now, his denunciation of sugar—and his threat to take action against peddlers of it—has sent a collective chill down the spine of many a consumer packaged goods entrepreneur.

In late April, RFK Jr. said “sugar is poison” and noted that “Americans need to know that.” He also threatened action. As HHS secretary, RFK Jr. enjoys a wide berth, with power over America’s dietary guidelines, among other things.

Almost immediately, sugar and confection associations responded, arguing that sugar isn’t solely to blame for America’s obesity epidemic or other chronic ailments.

“There might be........

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