Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol met with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on June 17 and committed to “further MAHA” (Make America Healthy Again) its menu. The pledge follows RFK Jr.’s longstanding campaign urging food companies to remove artificial dyes, flavors, high‑fructose corn syrup, and sweeteners from their products.
Niccol confirmed Starbucks already avoids many additives highlighted by Kennedy, but promised additional reforms. The company’s move aligns with broader trends, as General Mills and Kraft Heinz recently announced plans to eliminate artificial dyes from cereals and beverages by 2027.
Despite this push for healthier offerings, Starbucks faces criticism over high sugar content in some beverages: a grande white mocha Frappuccino contains 46 grams of sugar—far exceeding daily recommended limits of 25–36 grams. There are no immediate details on specific items or timeline for the new MAHA changes.
