Senator John Kennedy addressed the U.S. Senate on Mar. 11, urging Americans to be more aware of the ingredients in their food and beverages, particularly the sugar content in certain coffee drinks. Kennedy referenced concerns raised by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about popular coffee beverages.
The senator said his goal was not to dictate choices but to inform consumers about what they are consuming. “One of the things I support Secretary Kennedy on is trying to make the American people more cognizant about what they’re eating. Not to tell them what they can eat and drink, but to make them aware,” Kennedy said during his speech.
Kennedy highlighted that some specialty coffee drinks contain high amounts of sugar, comparing a caramel macchiato’s sugar content to that found in cookies and donuts. “A caramel macchiato has as much sugar as 12 Chips Ahoy cookies. A caramel macchiato has as much sugar as four Krispy Kreme glazed donuts… And it has about as much sugar as 50% of a medium McDonald’s chocolate milkshake,” he said, adding that burning off those calories would require running three miles.
He reiterated his intention was not prescriptive: “So, again, I’m not here to tell people what they should drink or not drink or eat or not eat, but I wanted people—to the extent that they are listening and that they care—to understand why I think Secretary Kennedy made the point that he made about coffee that takes ten or more words to order, and specifically Starbucks coffee.”
Kennedy has engaged with constituents through newsletters, town halls, and public events according to the official website. He operates district offices across Louisiana in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport according to the official website. His work includes advancing policies for veterans, farmers, small businesses and national security according to the official website.
Kennedy chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and serves on several other committees including Appropriations, Budget and Energy and Natural Resources according to the official website. He represents all of Louisiana in these roles according to the official website, influencing policy through his committee work according to the official website.
