An investigation by the Guardian and Documented, an investigative watchdog and journalism project, has revealed that some of the largest food and agriculture corporations in the US are funding a campaign that pays social media influencers. This campaign aims to counter elements of Robert F Kennedy Jr’s 'Make America Healthy Again' (Maha) platform.
The Maha movement, which blends concerns about food and farm safety with conspiracy theories, has gained traction, with a May 2026 KFF poll indicating that about four in 10 US adults support it. A majority of the public also believes there is insufficient regulation of pesticides (64%) and chemical food additives (75%).
The industry's response, named 'Growing a Healthier America' (Gaha), is led by the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), an industry-funded non-profit. CFI tracks public sentiment on key Maha issues and suggests ways for agricultural interests to counter these narratives. Internal documents show the coordinated effort is closely monitoring Maha and researching responses without alienating its supporters, focusing on areas like seed oils, pesticides, and regenerative agriculture.
The Gaha influencer campaign, which officially launched late last year, involves deploying social media influencers to rebuild trust in industries targeted by the Maha movement. By February, CFI had compiled a report listing dozens of sponsored posts on platforms such as online blogs, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. So far, at least six influencers have joined the campaign, reaching a total audience exceeding 2.6 million viewers.