The Department of Health and Human Services X account posted imagery with Franklin the Turtle, saying “Franklin avoids ultra-processed foods.”

The social media post came nearly one week after Kids Can Press, which publishes Franklin the Turtle, condemned a similar post from War Secretary Pete Hegseth in which he used the turtle to convey a more violent image. After Hegseth shared an image of Franklin shooting at boats from a helicopter with the title “Franklin targets narco terrorists,” the Canadian publisher put out a statement on Franklin’s “values.”

“Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values,” Kids Can Press wrote.

HHS’s X team posted on Sunday an image of Franklin strolling through a grocery store with whole foods in his cart as he walks past an aisle filled with junk food, seed oils, and artificial dyes — several food industry items that the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda speaks against.

“Franklin avoids ultra-processed foods. A healthy diet starts with real, whole ingredients. Franklin wants to Make America Healthy Again. Be like Franklin,” HHS wrote in the post.

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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reposted the image on his X account.

Neither HHS nor Kids Can Press responded to the Washington Examiner’s requests for comment on whether Kids Can Press authorized the use of its imagery.

, 2025-12-07 21:52:00, , Washington Examiner, %%https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon.png?w=32, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Molly Parks