How Farmers & Industry Groups Slowed MAHA’s Roles

When a government agency announces a major new health initiative, most Americans assume the policy will unfold roughly as promised—at least, we used to. But what actually happens between a policy’s dramatic unveiling and its final implementation? The answer reveals how power really works in government—and why even the most prominent federal programs can transform dramatically once affected industries mobilize their resources.

The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission offers an unusually clear look into this process. In February 2025, the Trump Administration and the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., established the MAHA Commission. The executive order tasked the Commission with further examining the rise in childhood chronic disease and identifying the major drivers. Following its initial assessment, the Commission identified four potential drivers: poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization (The White House, 2025). To target each of these drivers, the policy investigated “ultra-processed food, vaccine use, and exposure to chemicals” (Politico, 2025). However, after releasing their first report to the public, the Commission received immediate backlash regarding both the content and the lack of engagement between the administration and relevant stakeholders. Industries and advocacy organizations quickly began to speak up and lobby for their own interests, bringing the issue to its current point of contention.

Kennedy’s early agenda reflected an ambitious and rigid timeline, with limited collaboration from industry groups. Many of his goals were criticized as unrealistic or insufficiently supported by scientific evidence. Such goals included restrictions on pesticide use, reforming FDA regulatory pathways, investigating food ingredients, and modernizing American vaccines by performing placebo trials (Politico, 2025). Kennedy also wanted to examine consumers’ chemical exposure levels and evaluate whether certain additives posed health risks. These proposals sparked pushback among agricultural and food industries, as it would be a headache for those industries to change the way they produce their products. Although Kennedy and the Trump Administration expressed a willingness to work with both public and private partners, many organizations felt as though they were left out of the conversation and decision-making process.

As industries recognized the potential negative impacts of MAHA, they began lobbying intensively and submitting formal recommendations. Key industry actors included the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, CropLife America, and the Consumer Brands Association. The American Farm Bureau began lobbying by sending letters directly to the Commission, emphasizing their shared goal of growing safe and affordable food for America (Farm Bureau, 2025). Their letters highlighted sustainability, program enhancements for farmers, and pesticide tools to avoid the complete elimination of pesticide use. Although the Farm Bureau believes in advancing health in America, reducing the use of pesticides may not be the answer. In addition, the American Soybean Association explicitly lists on its website that “developments throughout the year bring subtle to serious threats against soy’s future, so ASA is constantly working to protect soy interests” regarding regulations (American Soybean Association, 2025). Tariffs and securing funding from Congress have both significantly impacted this association, which is part of the reason they feel the need to have a seat at the table before governmental changes are made. CropLife America similarly argued that pesticides play a critical role in maintaining an abundant, sustainable food supply (CropLife America, 2025). A final organization that acted as a strong lobbyist was the Consumer Brands Association. It focuses on packaging consumer goods with upfront ingredients and being the voice of the consumer-packaged goods industry (Consumer Brands Association, 2025). Some members of the organization include Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Tyson, some of which use controversial ingredients in their products. The organization focuses on strengthening public confidence, which is why it wanted to work closely with MAHA to reach an agreement on ingredient regulation and the importance of consumer trust.

Industry frustration intensified after the May report, as lobbyists began to express their own concerns. Industry groups pointed out that the “MAHA Commission report cited over 500 studies,” some of which were reportedly nonexistent (Food Business News, 2025). After receiving numerous letters and recommendations from over 250 organizations, the MAHA Commission, along with additional pressure from Congress, decided to respond to those inquiries. In June 2025, the White House invited approximately 46 of the lobbyists into the discussion. The White House Public Liaison Office sent the invitations to those groups and began listening to their recommendations (PoliticoPro, 2025). Stakeholders encouraged a science-driven approach, noting that they had found numerous mistakes in the original report. Some groups also urged that MAHA respect farmers’ processes, which include the use of safe pesticides for efficient and sustainable food production. Some groups even coordinated site visits for senior officials, including tours of Maryland farms, to illustrate their practices firsthand (The Washington Post, 2025).

Financial influence also played a role in the lobbying efforts. The American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, and CropLife America made substantial donations to Republican lawmakers following Trump’s 2024 election. The American Farm Bureau Federation has been an active lobbying organization, spending millions on influencing the federal government. The Consumer Brands Association spent approximately $1,020,000 on lobbying in 2025 (OpenSecrets, 2025). Although most of their expenditures previously went to one party, donations have shifted to reflect the change in the political landscape.

To many observers’ surprise, the lobbying efforts beginning in June softened several of the aggressive elements of the original MAHA proposals. What started in February 2025 with the establishment of MAHA turned into a collaborative effort moving into June–September 2025. The first report, issued in May, was followed by a revised version in September, largely due to lobbying efforts conducted between June and August. Such revisions included the removal of the proposed pesticide restrictions, which directly benefited agricultural stakeholders. However, not all groups were satisfied in the end.

Some of Kennedy’s allies argued that the revised report conceded too much to industry needs. Moms Across America, for example, felt that the lack of attention on chemicals and pesticides was offensive and dismissive to parents across the country (The Washington Post, 2025). Since Trump had mentioned in the past how harmful these substances could be, some people felt as though there should be a follow-up to address those concerns rather than simply pushing them aside.

Aside from those lingering concerns, it is important to notice the effect lobbying can have on federal policymaking. Even when a governmental policy is pushed forward with explicit and ambitious goals, the efforts of lobbyists can make a change. Through internal channels, strategic communication, and monetary contributions, stakeholders can meaningfully shape policy outcomes. The power of scientific credibility is important, and with the help of experts, we see great progress being made.

Works Cited

American Soybean Association. “Key Policy & Regulatory Issues | American Soybean Association.” American Soybean Association, 7 Jan. 2025, soygrowers.com/key-issues-initiatives/key-issues/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Amudalat Ajasa, and Rachel Roubein. “How Big Agriculture Got Its Way in the Latest MAHA Report.” The Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/10/05/maha-report-agriculture-lobby/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Brown, Marcia, et al. “Trump Administration Releases Long Awaited MAHA Roadmap.” POLITICO, Politico, 9 Sept. 2025, www.politico.com/news/2025/09/09/trump-kennedy-releases-maha-roadmap-pesticides-food-vaccine-00552849.

Farm Bureau. “Farm Bureau Shares MAHA Recommendations.” American Farm Bureau Federation, 2025, www.fb.org/news-release/farm-bureau-shares-maha-recommendations. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Gelski, Jeff. “MAHA Commission Needs More Transparency, Industry Groups Say.” Foodbusinessnews.net, Food Business News, 18 June 2025, www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/28484-maha-commission-needs-more-transparency-industry-groups-say. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Newman, Jesse, et al. “How Farmers and Industry Groups Slowed MAHA’s Roll.” The Wall Street Journal, 20 Sept. 2025, www.wsj.com/politics/policy/how-farmers-and-industry-groups-slowed-mahas-roll-47ce8800?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Open Secrets. “Data on Campaign Finance, Super Pacs, Industries, and Lobbying.” OpenSecrets, 2023, www.opensecrets.org/.

Politico Pro. “POLITICO Pro: White House Invites 46 Farm, Food Groups to Discuss MAHA Report.” @POLITICOPro, 2025, subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/06/46-farm-food-groups-meetings-white-house-maha-report-00395500. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Responds, America. “CropLife America.” CropLife America, 9 Sept. 2025, www.croplifeamerica.org/news-releases/croplife-america-responds-to-maha-commissions-strategy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Rubino, Natalie. “Consumer Brands Association Announces Voluntary Initiative to Remove Certified Artificial Colors in Food and Beverage Products from Schools - Consumer Brands Association.” Consumer Brands Association, 11 July 2025, consumerbrandsassociation.org/press-releases/consumer-brands-association-announces-voluntary-initiative-to-remove-certified-artificial-colors-in-food-and-beverage-products-from-schools/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

The White House. “MAHA.” The White House, 23 May 2025, www.whitehouse.gov/maha/.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. “MAHA Commission Unveils Sweeping Strategy to Make Our Children Healthy Again.” Usda.gov, 9 Sept. 2025, www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/09/09/maha-commission-unveils-sweeping-strategy-make-our-children-healthy-again.