Gov. Stitt, Sec. Kennedy detail directives in 'Make America Healthy Again' executive order

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U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Gov. Kevin Stitt Thursday to announce an initiative to "Make Oklahoma Healthy Again." "We need to start giving better food to our children, our schools and give them a chance," Kennedy said. The initiative has been something Stitt has pushed for months, and Kennedy came to Oklahoma to help promote the state's strides toward that change. "I love the spirit behind the MAHA movement," Stitt said. The secretary pointed out that for decades, the country has been declining in health, even saying Oklahoma is 47th in health right now. "We are poisoning the American people," Kennedy said. "The real change has to come from the grassroots, from local leadership, individual Americans who are taking responsibility for their health.">> Video Below: WATCH FULL: Gov. Kevin Stitt and HHS Secretary RFK Jr. announce 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again' campaignThe effort toward better health for Oklahoma comes in a newly signed executive order by Stitt. Oklahoma's Department of Health will be leading the initiative, but one of the biggest points of focus is that Stitt is directing the agency to stop recommending fluoride in public water systems. He said cities and counties can make their own decisions, but the state is staying out of it. Oklahoma is also now asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to let the state decide whether Oklahomans will be allowed to use SNAP benefits on candy, soda or other junk food. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.While it asks for that, protesters said that's not a terrible idea. But access to food in general needs to be better. "I didn't hear they were going to increase funding for children getting adequate nutrition, particularly during the summer but throughout the year," Steven Crawford, chair of Oklahoma Alliance for Healthy Families. >> Video Below: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to help roll out 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again' campaignThe governor is also ordering state agencies to stop using artificial dyes in food given to Oklahomans, like school lunches and prison meals. There was a bill this year that would have cracked down on artificial dyes, but it did not become law. It could become law next year, and Stitt said he will take a look at it. "We'll look at all those bills next year. There's certainly a movement across the country to look at what's happening with the health. With this guy's leadership, we want to make sure Oklahoma's leading the way," Stitt said. >> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelThere are many more directives in this executive order from the governor, like report on how long it will take to transition away from fluoride in water. Top Headlines What to know before investing in cryptocurrency Long line of Thunder fans wraps around OKC Raising Cane's before Alex Caruso works 'shift' TIMELINE: Storms with a severe weather risk return to Oklahoma on Thursday Iran’s supreme leader makes first public statement since ceasefire declared in Israel-Iran conflict Thunder star Alex Caruso to work 'shift' at Oklahoma City Raising Cane's location on Thursday

OKLAHOMA CITY —

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Gov. Kevin Stitt Thursday to announce an initiative to "Make Oklahoma Healthy Again."

"We need to start giving better food to our children, our schools and give them a chance," Kennedy said.

The initiative has been something Stitt has pushed for months, and Kennedy came to Oklahoma to help promote the state's strides toward that change.

"I love the spirit behind the MAHA movement," Stitt said.

The secretary pointed out that for decades, the country has been declining in health, even saying Oklahoma is 47th in health right now.

"We are poisoning the American people," Kennedy said. "The real change has to come from the grassroots, from local leadership, individual Americans who are taking responsibility for their health."

>> Video Below: WATCH FULL: Gov. Kevin Stitt and HHS Secretary RFK Jr. announce 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again' campaign

The effort toward better health for Oklahoma comes in a newly signed executive order by Stitt.

Oklahoma's Department of Health will be leading the initiative, but one of the biggest points of focus is that Stitt is directing the agency to stop recommending fluoride in public water systems. He said cities and counties can make their own decisions, but the state is staying out of it.

Oklahoma is also now asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to let the state decide whether Oklahomans will be allowed to use SNAP benefits on candy, soda or other junk food.

Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.

While it asks for that, protesters said that's not a terrible idea. But access to food in general needs to be better.

"I didn't hear they were going to increase funding for children getting adequate nutrition, particularly during the summer but throughout the year," Steven Crawford, chair of Oklahoma Alliance for Healthy Families.

>> Video Below: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to help roll out 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again' campaign

The governor is also ordering state agencies to stop using artificial dyes in food given to Oklahomans, like school lunches and prison meals.

There was a bill this year that would have cracked down on artificial dyes, but it did not become law. It could become law next year, and Stitt said he will take a look at it.

"We'll look at all those bills next year. There's certainly a movement across the country to look at what's happening with the health. With this guy's leadership, we want to make sure Oklahoma's leading the way," Stitt said.

>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel

There are many more directives in this executive order from the governor, like report on how long it will take to transition away from fluoride in water.

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