John McKenna

Executive Vice President, Tompkins Financial Corporation

Search every verified John McKenna interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a 2019 talk titled "Can You Trust What You Are Eating? Part 1 of 2," John McKenna, who holds a science degree and a medical degree and identifies himself as a concerned parent, discussed his views on nutrition and the food industry. McKenna argued that fructose is harmful and that animal fat does not cause heart disease, stating that "the scientific consensus in 2014 confirms this definitively." He criticized modern dwarf wheat, claiming it has increased starch and gluten content that contributes to gluten intolerance and celiac disease. McKenna also questioned the motives behind dietary guidelines, asserting that the USDA represents farmers and food producers rather than health interests, and described the food pyramid as "fundamentally flawed." McKenna further alleged that industry influence undermines nutritional science and public health advice. He stated that he disregards research sponsored by private companies like Coca-Cola or Pepsi Cola, and claimed that CEOs of major food companies pressured the WHO to remove advice to cut sugar. He described the British Nutrition Foundation, which he said is headed by a former CEO of Tate & Lyle, as "scandalous," adding that "the fox is in charge of the henhouse." McKenna also noted that 66 percent of U.S. medical schools have shares in pharmaceutical companies, and characterized the system as "broken."