"We're going to ask Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks, 'Show us the safety data that show that it's okay for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it,' Kennedy said. 'I don't think they're gonna be able to do it.' This statement directly challenges major coffee chains to justify their product safety regarding sugar content in beverages marketed to young consumers."
"Dunkin' is ubiquitous throughout Massachusetts, boasting the highest concentration of stores in the United States by population: With 1,031 stores in the state, that's one Dunkin' for every 6,668 residents. This statistic demonstrates the extraordinary cultural and commercial significance of Dunkin' to Massachusetts, making it far more than just a business but a core part of state identity."
"Even Massachusetts' Governor Maura Healey chimed in to defend Dunkin', posting her own take on the 'Come and Take it' flag (originally created in 1835 for the Texas Revolution). Healey's version replaces the flag's cannon with an iced coffee from Dunkin'. The message was clear: Coming for Dunkin' means coming for all of Massachusetts. This symbolic response elevates the Dunkin' defense to a matter of state pride and collective identity."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed Health and Human Services Secretary and Massachusetts native, has drawn criticism from his home state by targeting Dunkin' and Starbucks over their high-sugar coffee drinks. At a Texas rally, Kennedy demanded these chains provide safety data justifying the consumption of beverages containing 115 grams of sugar by teenagers. Massachusetts residents responded with strong social media support for Dunkin', which operates 1,031 stores throughout the state—one for every 6,668 residents. Governor Maura Healey joined the defense, posting a modified "Come and Take It" flag featuring a Dunkin' iced coffee. The controversy highlights the deep cultural significance of Dunkin' to Massachusetts identity and the tension between Kennedy's public health agenda and regional loyalty.
#rfk-jr-health-policy #dunkin-donuts-controversy #sugar-content-regulation #massachusetts-culture #public-health-advocacy
Read at Fast Company
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