** Shares of consumer goods companies up in mid-day trading following Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental and anti-vaccine activist, being selected by President-elect Donald Trump to lead top U.S. health agency.
** Kennedy in recent months has made some policy remarks, including calling for the removal of fluoride from public water
** Fluoride is a mineral considered vital for dental health and is added to water to protect the teeth
** Shares of Procter & Gamble PG.N, which makes Crest and Oral B toothpastes, up 1.3%
** Colgate-Palmolive CL.N shares rise 1.5% and Church & Dwight CHD.N, which makes Aim toothpaste, up 1.2%
** Toothpastes with fluoride are said to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities
** So far this year, PG and CL stocks up nearly 16% while CHD up 15%, including session gains
(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru)
((AnanyaMariam.Rajesh@thomsonreuters.com ; X: https://twitter.com/AnanyaMariam;))
