Several major food and agriculture companies in the United States are financing a campaign that uses social media influencers to counter the messaging of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (Maha) movement, according to an investigation. The campaign, known as Growing a Healthier America (Gaha), aims to address concerns raised by Maha about processed foods, pesticides, and farming practices while attempting to restore consumer confidence in the agricultural sector.

Kennedy, who recently became the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has championed efforts to combat chronic illnesses, attributing much of the problem to processed food ingredients, chemical exposure, and farming methods. While some concerns about food safety and agricultural chemicals are widely shared, Kennedy’s platform also incorporates disputed claims about vaccines and other health topics. The movement has gained traction, with a recent poll indicating that approximately 40% of U.S. adults support Maha themes, and a majority expressing dissatisfaction with current pesticide and chemical food additive regulations.

This growing public unease has caught the attention of Washington policymakers, too, with some members of the Trump administration attending a Maha summit in Washington. Though the administration has generally refrained from implementing stricter regulations, the rising support for Maha’s agenda poses potential risks for the food industry, threatening profitability and regulatory stability.

To counter this, the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), an industry-funded nonprofit organization, has developed the Gaha campaign. Internal documents reviewed by the investigative team reveal that CFI is closely monitoring the Maha movement and crafting responses that blend scientific information with emotional appeals. The campaign targets several contentious areas, including seed oils, high-fructose corn syrup, pesticides, regenerative agriculture, organic farming, raw dairy products, and large-scale agricultural operations.

Launched in late 2025, the Gaha effort relies heavily on social media influencers with significant online followings, who produce sponsored content designed to rebuild trust in food and agricultural industries. As of early 2026, at least six influencers have participated in the campaign, collectively reaching over 2.6 million viewers across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and online blogs. Content often includes interviews with farmers about pesticide use or soil health and explanations intended to counteract health claims made by Maha advocates.

In a July 2025 training video obtained during the investigation, CFI’s executive director, Kelly Leighton, described the initiative’s goal as creating an “echo chamber” among allied industry groups, with a unified message to combat what they characterize as misinformation. Leighton warned that without this coordinated effort, consumer trust in agriculture could deteriorate, potentially leading to increased regulatory actions.

Founded in 2007, the Center for Food Integrity conducts research and public relations efforts on behalf of the food and agricultural sectors. Its board includes executives from prominent companies such as Chick-fil-A, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, and the National Pork Board. Membership dues from these organizations finance CFI’s activities and campaigns like Gaha, which seek to protect industry interests amid shifting public opinion and political dynamics.