**Processed Food Stocks Dive Amid Concerns Over Trump Administration's Health Policies**

Processed food companies faced significant stock declines this past Friday following apprehensions of regulatory actions under President-elect Donald Trump and his newly announced ally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. With Kennedy being Trump's pick for secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, traders feared sweeping changes that could affect market stability.

Several major corporations experienced notable drops. Beverage giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola saw their shares decrease by over 4% and 1.3%, respectively. General Mills, famous for Cheerios and Betty Crocker products, dropped more than 2%. Conagra Brands, maker of Reddi-wip, shared a similar fate with a dip exceeding 2%. Campbell Soup, known for Goldfish crackers and Pepperidge Farm cookies, and Kraft Heinz, responsible for popular products like macaroni and cheese and Oscar Mayer hot dogs, retreated by nearly 3% and 2% respectively. Lamb Weston, a key frozen potato supplier for chains including McDonald's and Chick-fil-A, plunged over 6%.

Investors reacted negatively to the possibility of Kennedy overseeing entities like the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Medicare, Medicaid, and the National Institutes of Health. Known for his critical stance on vaccines and his push for drastic FDA reforms, Kennedy's nomination has stoked fears of increased regulatory scrutiny on processed food and beverage companies. His advocacy for removing nutrition departments within the FDA signals potential for significant industry disruption.

In an NBC News interview, Kennedy criticized current food regulations, using Fruit Loops' difference in ingredients between the U.S. and Canada as an example of regulatory failure. While the stock of WK Kellogg Co., the maker of Fruit Loops, initially resisted the trend, it ultimately ended the week down by more than 4%.

Traders are keeping a close watch on developments, as the Senate's decision on Kennedy's nomination could further influence stock movements and market sentiment in the processed food sector.