(Daily Mail) Donald Trump could be set to launch one of the biggest crackdowns on unhealthy eating in American history.
Despite being the biggest fast food lover to ever be elected president, a doctor tipped to play a key advisory role in the incoming administration claims that won’t stop him attempting to change US diets for the better.
Dr Aseem Malhotra is a British cardiologist who has appeared on podcasts with Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson and has close ties to Robert F Kennedy Junior.
He was a lifelong advocate for vaccines but was cast out by the medical establishment in the UK during Covid for promoting the disputed claim that mRNA shots were killing scores of young people.
Like RFK Jr, who has been promised a ‘big role’ in government by Trump, Dr Malhotra believes the US’ spiraling epidemic of chronic disease can be partly traced to the over-consumption of ultra-processed foods.
He is in talks about a role advising the White House on combating heart disease, which is the biggest killer in the US and is fueled by bad diets and obesity.
In a DailyMail.com interview where he laid out what health policy could look like if he joins team Trump, Dr Malhotra said he would push to treat processed junk food ‘like the new tobacco.’
He wants to ban burgers, pizzas and other high calorie food from schools and hospitals and impose a ‘fat tax’ on the unhealthiest snacks, such as candy and ice cream.
TRUMP’S NEW HEALTH DISRUPTORS: RFK Jr (left) has been promised a ‘big role’ in the new administration and Dr Aseem Malhotra could also be tapped
EYES ON THE FRIES: Trump could launch one of the biggest crackdowns on unhealthy eating in American history – despite being a fast food lover
He said: ‘There are three simple strategies in public health, we talk about the ‘three A’s’ – you target the availability, acceptability and affordability.
‘When it comes to affordability, you have to tax, that will raise the price and reduce the consumption.
‘This would force the food industry to start developing more minimally processed food and it would simultaneously reduce the purchase of those foods.’
Dr Malhotra, who is a former UK government adviser, wants to introduce in the US some of the policies that worked in Britain.
A sugar levy imposed on sodas in the UK in 2018 saw adults reduce their added sugar intake by about two-and-a-half teaspoons per day.
More importantly, the tax also led to more than half of all manufacturers reformulating their drinks to be less sugary in order to avoid the charge.
Dr Malhotra added: ‘Then in terms of availability, you can look to public smoking bans as [an example of how to tackle junk food.]
‘Why are we allowing ultra-processed food to be sold in schools and hospitals?
‘Seventy percent of the food in schools is highly processed, it’s unbelievable. What that does, effectively, is legitimizes the acceptability of these foods.
‘I’m not so talking about banning for everyone, people should still be able have treats, I’m not against that.
‘But certain institutions that are supposed to be conducive to people’s health should not be allowed to sell ultra-processed food on their premises.’
Dr Malhotra also supports more radical plans, such as putting cigarette-style warning labels on junk food that warn buyers about possible links to cancer, heart disease and diabetes, and banning all advertisements for ultra-processed snacks.
‘These products have been linked to many diseases, including heart disease, cancer, etc., and therefore should be avoided,’ he added.
‘So I would have warning labels like with tobacco, and I would ban the advertising of ultra-processed food as well.’
