Name: RFK Jr. unveils new U.S. dietary guidelines, defends vaccine stance
Uploaded: 2026-01-08T15:10:22.060Z
Duration: 2 min
Description: In changes to U.S. dietary guidelines, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Americans should focus on fresh vegetables, protein and dairy instead of highly-processed foods. Many health organizations applauded the efforts after slamming Kennedy earlier this week for changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. Nancy Cordes reports.

In changes to U.S. dietary guidelines, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Americans should focus on fresh vegetables, protein and dairy instead of highly-processed foods. Many health organizations applauded the efforts after slamming Kennedy earlier this week for changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. Nancy Cordes reports.

Washington

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unveiled significant changes to U.S. dietary guidelines, recommending increased consumption of protein, full-fat dairy, and healthy fats, while reducing highly processed foods. Kennedy stated that the previous food pyramid was 'upside down' and has now been corrected, though some health organizations expressed concern over the new stance on saturated fats.

In addition to dietary changes, Kennedy defended recent updates to childhood vaccine guidelines, which now advise parents to consult with doctors before vaccinating against RSV, hepatitis, rotavirus, and the flu. The American Academy of Pediatrics criticized these changes as dangerous and unnecessary, urging parents to adhere to previous vaccination recommendations.

RFK Jr. unveils new U.S. dietary guidelines, defends vaccine stance

Big changes in the government's dietary guidelines. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants us all to eat more protein, fresh vegetables, and dairy instead of highly processed foods. Nancy Quartus spoke to Kennedy about this and other changes for Americans. But it was actually upside down before and we just righted it. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. turned the food pyramid on its head Wednesday. The new guidelines urge Americans to avoid highly processed packaged foods in favor of protein, full fat dairy, and healthy fats. You said you're ending the war on saturated fats. Where is the evidence that that is a good idea? Well, the problem is that there is no good evidence that saturated fats drive cardiac disease. The American Heart Association said the opposite, that sodium and saturated fats are primary drivers of cardiovascular disease. Still, many health organizations applauded the new pyramid's focus on fruits and vegetables after they slammed Kennedy earlier in the week for changes to the nation's childhood vaccine schedule. The new CDC guidelines now recommend that parents talk to their child's doctor before deciding whether to vaccinate against RSV, hepatitis, rotavirus, and the flu. There are 280, 290 kids who died last year due to the flu. There's no evidence that any kids died or were harmed due to the flu vaccine. So isn't this inevitably gonna lead to more children dying? There is no evidence that the flu vaccine prevents serious disease or that it prevents hospitalizations or death in children. There's no scientific evidence. And what we tried to do is to follow the science. The American Academy of Pediatrics disputed that, calling the changes dangerous and unnecessary and urging parents to stick to the old guidelines. For CBS Mornings, Nancy Cordes, the White House.

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