Bernie Sanders grills Biden’s FDA chief Robert Califf: “How many kids have died and gotten sick?”

Sanders: “The food and beverage industry spends hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars on lobbying and on campaign contributions. You tell me the role that they are playing in destroying the health of America’s children.”

Califf: “Well, I’m not gonna contest your comment about the amount of money spent on lobbying … but a lot of the changes that those of us who are interested in better health would like to make are blocked at the level of legislation for reasons—”

Sanders: “I’m still not hearing you. What is the reason that our kids are unhealthy? … Are you prepared to tell us that this committee, this Congress needs to take on the food and beverage industry, whose greed is destroying the health of millions of people?”

Califf: “Well, I’m not gonna castigate the people that work in the food and beverage industry—”

Sanders: “You’re not?”

Califf: “No.”

Sanders: “That is your job!”

Califf: “No … it’s to point out how to make progress in this area.”

“So, there needs to be a plan and it needs to be implemented in a mature, thoughtful way across the country.”

Sanders: “How many years does it take to do it? 14 years enough time? How many kids have died and gotten sick during those 14 years?”

Califf: “I want to see it change as much as anyone, but we have to do it in a way that considers all the factors—”

Sanders: “Protecting the interests of the food and beverage industry.”