Food News
Kennedy’s criticism of the New England-based chain’s sugar-packed beverages prompted a quick response from Maura Healey.
Though the governor was quick to defend Dunkin’, Kennedy’s comments have split Boston.com readers. Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a not-so-sweet response for Gov. Maura Healey’s defense of Dunkin’.
Kennedy targeted the Massachusetts-based coffee chain, along with Starbucks, at the Feb. 26 “Eat Real Food” rally. The event was held in Austin, Texas to promote a health agenda that prioritizes “whole, nutrient-dense foods over highly processed alternatives.”
“We’re going to ask Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, ‘Show us the safety data that show that it’s OK for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it,’” Kennedy told the audience. “I don’t think they’re gonna be able to do it.”
Healey, who previously promoted the brand in a political stunt spoofing the “DunKings” Super Bowl commercial, was quick to clap back. Resharing a Boston Globe article about Kennedy’s comments, she replied on X with a meme goading him to “come and take it.”
Kennedy, however, took the opportunity to clarify his comments. Replying to Healey’s post, he asserted that it’s not a war on Dunkin’ he’s waging: it’s a war on sugar.
“No one is taking away your Dunkin’,” Kennedy said on X. “But isn’t it reasonable to ask whether a drink loaded with 180 grams of sugar is safe?”
No one is taking away your Dunkin’. But isn’t it reasonable to ask whether a drink loaded with 180 grams of sugar is safe? https://t.co/nV6KLOBf94
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) March 5, 2026
Boston.com readers said they agree with Kennedy — albeit by quite a slim margin. Among 770 readers who responded to our poll, 396 of them agreed, and 382 of them disagreed.
In any case, people online have pounced on the moment to play on how ferociously some New Englanders will defend their morning (or afternoon, or evening, or midnight) brew. It’s spawned a slew of memes referencing the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution.
“Maybe this regime needs to remember we take drinks VERY SERIOUSLY in New England,” one X user wrote.
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