March 6, 2026, 12:25 p.m. ET
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is raising concerns about the safety of added sugars in popular beverages from Dunkin’ and Starbucks.
- Have you checked how much sugar is in your favorite drinks?
- Learn how these amounts stack up against recommendations for added sugar intake, particularly for children and teens.
While President Trump intensifies air strikes on Iranian targets, his Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is also engaged in a significant initiative.
The focus? Sugar, and particularly, added sugars.
His current focus includes beverages from Dunkin’ and Starbucks.
➤ RFK Jr. questions sugary Dunkin’ drinks, draws governor’s defense
“We’re going to ask Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks to provide safety data supporting the consumption of an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar,” Kennedy remarked during a recent event in Texas.
Here’s what you need to know.
What’s concerning about Dunkin’ and Starbucks iced coffees?
“Americans have the right to know what’s in their food and to trust that ingredients are subjected to a thorough, science-based evaluation,” stated the Department of Health and Human Services in a recent communication to USA Today.
➤ Curious about the new food pyramid? Here’s what to understand.
Kennedy’s aim is to transform American eating habits. Recently released dietary guidelines emphasized proteins and healthy fats, recommending that individuals limit highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars.
The focus on added sugars in iced coffees is a primary concern for Kennedy.
Kennedy intends to challenge major coffee chains to validate the safety of their ingredients, particularly the sugar levels in various drinks.
“We’re going to call on Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks to demonstrate that it’s safe for a teenage girl to consume an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it,” he noted.
“I suspect they won’t be able to provide that data.”
Massachusetts governor responds to RFK over iced coffee: ‘Come and take it’
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey countered Kennedy’s remarks on X, referencing the historical “Come and Take It” flag, originally featured at the dawn of the Texas Revolution.
What quantity of added sugar is acceptable?
The new dietary guidelines assert that “no amount of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners is recommended or considered valid for a healthy diet; one meal should contain no more than 10 grams of added sugars.”
“Certain foods and drinks, like fruits and plain milk, contain naturally occurring sugars, which are not categorized as added sugars.”
The guidelines recommend that added sugars should be avoided during infancy and early childhood, up to age 10.
For adolescents aged 11 to 18, it’s advised to significantly limit consumption of sugary drinks and energy drinks while steering clear of heavily processed foods.
How much sugar is in Dunkin’ iced coffee and frozen beverages?
In terms of added sugar content in Dunkin’s offerings, several of the highest amounts are found in their frozen beverages when comparing medium sizes.
- Banana frozen chocolate: 104 grams added sugar for a total of 112
- Berry sangria lemonade refresher: 55 grams added sugar for a total of 55
- Strawberry protein daydream refresher: 37 grams added sugar for a total of 47
- Banana vanilla iced coffee: 26 grams added sugar for a total of 27
Looking to reduce those added sugars? Choose Dunkin’ Zero beverages, which contain no added sugars. One exception is the large juicy peach Dunkin’ Zero, which has only 1 gram of sugar.
Additionally, the sugar-free vanilla iced coffee has zero sugar and no added sugar across all sizes.
Access nutrition information for Dunkin’ offering
Can’t find the information? Open in a new browser.
What is the sugar content of Starbucks’ iced coffees?
Starbucks’ nutritional information does not specifically distinguish added sugars but lists “of which sugars,” in grams.
Here are a few comparisons of grande-sized drinks:
- Decaf Iced Mocha with whole milk: 30.5 grams sugar
- Mocha Frappuccino with semi-skim milk: 37.7 grams sugar
- Iced Caramel Macchiato with semi-skim milk: 26.6 grams sugar
- Signature Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso with whole milk: 19.2 grams sugar
- Blonde Classic Iced Cappuccino with whole milk: 9.6 grams sugar
Access nutrition information for Starbucks offerings
Can’t see the information? Open in a new browser.
How many Dunkin’ and Starbucks coffee shops are located in Florida?
According to data from ScrapeHero, Florida is home to 940 Starbucks locations, ranking third in the U.S.
There are also 928 Dunkin’ locations in Florida, making it the third highest state for Dunkin’ establishments.
Contributor: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can receive the best content from Florida directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
Key Takeaways
- Concerns are rising over the safety of added sugars in beverages by Dunkin’ and Starbucks.
- Proper evaluation of ingredients in food and drinks is vital for consumer confidence.
- New dietary guidelines recommend limiting added sugars, especially for children and adolescents.
- Dunkin’s frozen drinks show significantly high added sugar levels.
- Starbucks lists sugar content without clearly separating added sugars.
- Families are encouraged to explore low-sugar options such as Dunkin’ Zero beverages.
FAQ
What is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocating for regarding sugar in drinks?
He is asking Dunkin’ and Starbucks to provide safety data for their high-sugar beverages.
How much added sugar is recommended for a healthy diet?
The new dietary guidelines suggest no more than 10 grams of added sugars per meal.
What drinks at Dunkin’ have the highest sugar content?
Dunkin’s frozen beverages typically contain the highest amounts of added sugars.
