The Gist David Kessler on Why Junk Food Is America’s Nicotine
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Aug 25, 2025 
David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner and author of 'Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine', shares insights on the alarming parallels between junk food and nicotine. He argues for reclassifying refined carbohydrates due to their addictive nature, explaining how ultra-processed foods function more like narcotics than nourishment. Kessler discusses the transformative potential of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and how society’s health challenges mirror those of past tobacco use. His call to action urges a reevaluation of food safety standards in light of growing health concerns.
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Refined Carbs Are The Underlying Harm
- Processed refined carbohydrates are the core driver of ultra-formulated foods' harm and addictive effects.
- David Kessler argues these ingredients now lack an expert consensus of safety under current conditions of use.
Use A Citizen Petition To Trigger FDA Review
- Petition the FDA to re-evaluate GRAS status of processed refined carbohydrates based on modern science.
- Kessler says the burden should shift to industry to prove safety at realistic doses once GRAS consensus dissolves.
Law Requires Real-World Dose Evaluation
- FDA must consider cumulative exposure and real-world doses when assessing food ingredients.
- Kessler emphasizes that ingredients safe in decades past can be unsafe given today's processing and consumption patterns.
