Children's Health Defense When U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked if ultra-sugary Dunkin’ coffee drinks are safe for teenagers, Massachusetts leaders and media rushed to defend the state’s iconic brand. But the reaction also revealed Dunkin’s tangled relationship with children’s hospitals. In exchange for large donations, Dunkin’ gets an exclusive presence — and a unique opportunity to market its junk food to sick children.
When U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked if ultra-sugary coffee drinks sold at chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks are safe for teenagers, the backlash was swift.
Massachusetts politicians and local and national media rushed to defend the Quincy, Massachusetts-based coffee chain — rebranded in 2018 as Dunkin’ — which has become a cultural institution in the state.
What didn’t news organizations mention in their reporting? In addition to its influence over Massachusetts media, Dunkin’ has a huge presence inside children’s hospitals, where the company markets its sugary and ultraprocessed foods to sick children.
Kennedy called out Dunkin’ and Starbucks last month at a rally in Austin:
“We’re going to ask Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, ‘Show us the safety data that show that it’s OK for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it. I don’t think they’re going to be able to do it.”
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey wasted no time defending the food chain. She posted an image of a Dunkin’ drink on X with the words “come and take it.” The image included a version of a flag resembling the one used at the start of the Texas Revolution in 1835.
Read Full Article Here… | Children’s Health Defense
Home | Caravan to Midnight (zutalk.com)
Be First to Comment