Since President-elect Donald Trump last week tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), there has been increased attention on Kennedy’s initiative to “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA ). .

One of Kennedy’s widely reported goals is to reduce children’s consumption of ultra-processed foods.

“We have a generation of children swimming around in a toxic soup right now,” Kennedy previously told Fox News. “We are allowing these industries to corrupt our agencies and poison them en masse.”

ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CONSUMPTION IN THE US PUT RISKS TO CHILDREN

Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, joined Fox & Friends on Monday to discuss the HHS secretary nominee’s plans to reduce ultra-processed foods, which have been shown to make up 73% of the nation’s food supply.

One of the biggest hazards associated with today’s food supply is food dyes, Siegel said.

“Food coloring is a problem,” he said. “Red dye No. 3 is banned in Europe. They ban it in California. It is linked to cancer in animals.”

Food colorings have been linked to hyperactivity in children, Siegel warned.

TIPS FOR PARENTS TO REDUCE ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS IN CHILDREN’S DIETS

Both Democrats and Republicans have pushed for a ban on food dyes, the doctor noted, but the food industry and food lobbyists have fought back.

“There is concern that if this leads to more regulation, it will drive up prices – and grocery store prices are already a problem,” Siegel added.

Some of the most harmful additives are MSG and high fructose corn syrup, the latter of which “directly causes obesity,” according to Siegel. (iStock)

On ultra-processed foods, Siegel said he agreed with Kennedy’s claim that children are “swimming in a toxic soup.”

Some of the most harmful additives are MSG and high fructose corn syrup, the latter of which “directly causes obesity,” according to Siegel.

“We need to get back to a healthier lifestyle, and then we will spend less money on being ultra-sick.”

Nitrates are also a concern because they have been shown to cause cancer in animals, the doctor said, as have excess sugar and salt.

“People just gravitate toward food and food and food, and they gain weight,” Siegel said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“If they gain weight, they get high blood pressure, they get diabetes, they get heart disease and they’re at risk for cancer.”

Siegel pointed out some key regulatory hurdles that Kennedy will have to overcome.

“We have a generation of children swimming around in a toxic soup right now,” Kennedy previously told Fox News. “We are allowing these industries to corrupt our agencies and poison them en masse.” (iStock)

“There is pressure on the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) by the food industry, by the pharmaceutical industry, by the lobby groups in Congress,” he said.

“They have so much power that they virtually overshadow the FDA.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The goal, however, is not to “destroy big pharmaceutical companies,” Siegel said, noting that pharmaceutical companies are “doing great things” such as coming up with “great new treatments” and personalized solutions through artificial intelligence and other biotechnologies.

However, he noted that the health care system tends to function as a “sick care system,” making money off people’s illnesses.

“People just gravitate toward food and food and food, and they gain weight,” Siegel said. “If they gain weight, they get high blood pressure, they get diabetes, they get heart disease and they’re at risk for cancer.” (iStock)

“They should give tax breaks for running on the treadmill or taking a walk in the morning, eating farm-to-table foods or having more produce,” Siegel said.

“We need to get back to a healthier lifestyle, and then we will spend less money on being ultra-sick.”

For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Overall, Siegel said, Kennedy is “on the right track” with his plans to combat ultra-processed foods.

“Whether he can achieve that is another story,” he added.