U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to “Make America Healthy Again” have sparked comparisons with European health policies, but while he often praises EU standards, many European health agencies are distancing themselves from his more controversial proposals.
Kennedy, who has been vocal about the dangers of ultra-processed foods and chemical additives in the U.S. food supply, has claimed that “one thousand ingredients” used in American food are banned in Europe. He’s also pointed to Belgium’s use of beef tallow for frying as an example of healthier practices. However, Belgian health officials told Euronews Health that beef fat, high in saturated fat, is not in line with their dietary guidelines, which recommend vegetable oils instead.
Kennedy’s advocacy often contrasts with President Donald Trump’s stance. While Trump has asserted that U.S. food safety standards are superior, Kennedy has praised Europe’s stricter regulations, especially on infant formula, artificial dyes, and food additives. European officials agree on some fronts — notably, the EU restricts tartrazine (Yellow 5), which is linked to hyperactivity in children, and favors natural sugars like lactose in infant formulas over corn syrup commonly used in the U.S.
Kennedy’s warnings about ultra-processed foods also find some support. European countries, including Germany, Ireland, and Estonia, acknowledge the health risks linked to high-sugar, high-fat diets and are actively working to reduce consumption of such foods. However, Sweden, Belgium, and Norway stress that not all processed foods are harmful and that balance is key.
On vaccines, Kennedy’s messages have been mixed. He recently endorsed the measles vaccine amid a U.S. outbreak but previously promoted vitamin A as a treatment. European health authorities unanimously support vaccination, with Luxembourg and Switzerland emphasizing that vitamin A cannot replace vaccines and warning of the risks of leaving children unvaccinated.
Kennedy’s suggestion to allow bird flu to “run through” flocks instead of culling infected birds was firmly rejected. The European Food Safety Authority stated it never recommended such an approach, and multiple national agencies described the idea as “unethical” and “dangerous,” warning that it could increase the risk of the virus mutating to infect humans.
On mental health and medications, Kennedy has raised alarms about antidepressants and weight loss drugs, comparing antidepressant withdrawal to heroin. While European countries stress ongoing monitoring and appropriate use, several, including Belgium and Estonia, echoed concerns about overuse and long-term dependency on psychiatric medications.
Kennedy’s call for mobile phone bans in schools due to mental health risks was met with partial agreement. Several European agencies acknowledged rising concerns about screen time’s effect on children, though none confirmed a direct cancer risk from phones, citing inconclusive evidence.
In sum, while RFK Jr. finds common ground with Europe on some health issues, his broader agenda faces skepticism, particularly when diverging from evidence-based practices widely accepted by European health authorities.
