In today’s world, discussions around food choices are becoming increasingly polarized. A key player in this conversation is the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which has garnered a mix of fervent supporters and critical skeptics. Central to its ideology is the belief in promoting a diet rich in meat, despite growing evidence suggesting that plant-based diets are more beneficial for health and the environment. This article delves into the complexities of the MAHA movement, its implications for public health, and the often-overlooked environmental costs associated with meat consumption.
Yves here. As many readers may have inferred, I see the MAHA initiative as a misleading endeavor, especially considering that RFK, Jr. has trademarked the term and profits from licensing it. MAHA markets itself as a more natural and healthier option, while simultaneously advocating for meat consumption. However, the environmental repercussions of this dietary choice are significant and should be reconsidered. Numerous studies indicate that vegetarian and plant-led diets offer more health benefits than those rich in meat.
By Brian Bienkowski, the managing editor of The New Lede, who previously served as the senior editor of Environmental Health News for nearly a decade, overseeing the newsroom and two regional bureaus and founding, producing, and hosting the Agents of Change in EJ podcast. Originally published at The New Lede
Last month, meat enthusiasts gathered in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to celebrate their passion for brisket, bacon, butter, and the carnivore lifestyle at Meatstock 2026.
The event featured quirky merchandise, various raw milk options, and, of course, luscious steaks. Yet, among the meat advocates were influential political figures, including Calley Means from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Vani Hari, famously known as the “Food Babe,” who has engaged with White House officials to push for the elimination of artificial dyes and pesticides in our food.
The MAHA movement encompasses a wide range of advocacy efforts—ranging from promoting the reduction of ultra-processed foods and pesticide usage to fostering skepticism about vaccines. However, a central tenet remains consistent: Americans should consume “real food,” which unequivocally includes meat. This message is not merely a social media fad; it has now been integrated into federal nutrition and health policy.
“This has led to an unusual collaboration between Bobby Kennedy and President Trump, creating a moment where, regardless of political orientation, these issues are at the forefront of national dialogue,” Means stated during a May 2 panel discussion at Meatstock.
Means and his fellow MAHA advocates often promote the idea of moving away from “industrial farms” in favor of regenerative farming, which focuses on enhancing soil health and involves practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and pasture-based livestock.
However, attendees at Meatstock 2026, federal MAHA Commission reports, and meat-loving influencers confront a stark reality: the demand for meat, both now and in the future, largely relies on massive concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), which currently raise nearly all farmed animals in the United States.
Despite the movement’s vocal criticisms of harmful pesticides like glyphosate and paraquat—linked to various health issues—evidence increasingly shows that CAFOs generate substantial amounts of manure linked to similar health risks, including elevated cancer rates. Alarmingly, the pollution generated by these operations has largely escaped scrutiny within the MAHA discourse.
“I reject the notion that our only choices are factory farming or forgoing animal protein entirely,” Hari explained to The New Lede. “No single model can address all challenges, but we need to focus on innovation that enhances outcomes rather than merely increasing production.”
Nevertheless, experts caution that the dietary guidelines and emphasis on increased meat consumption will solidify the reliance on CAFOs and the associated negative consequences.
“We cannot sustain the high levels of animal products currently consumed in the U.S., much less increase it further without the industrial approach,” warned Brent Kim, an assistant scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Supply and Demand
Nearly all meat from chickens and turkeys, 75% of beef from cattle, and over 98% of pork is sourced from CAFOs, according to an analysis of USDA data.
Research shows that transitioning to grass-fed or regenerative farming methods may struggle to meet current—or projected increases in—meat demand.
A study on U.S. beef production indicated that “all of the pastureland currently utilized for U.S. beef could sustainably fulfill 45% of present production.” Conversely, an earlier study suggested that existing pastureland could support only 27% of the current beef supply. Additionally, separate research in 2020 indicated that regenerative beef production requires up to 2.5 times more land than conventional methods.
Scientists found that pasture-raised chicken farming would also necessitate a considerable increase in land usage.
Data about the adverse aspects of current meat production was notably absent from The Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment released last year, apart from a mention that four companies now control 80% of the market. However, meat played a prominent role in the recent U.S. dietary guidelines released in January that focused heavily on protein intake from animal sources. Kennedy Jr. claimed these guidelines would “revolutionize” American food culture.
Many doctors and health experts have raised concerns about the MAHA-endorsed heavy consumption of meat, particularly processed and red meat, due to its association with increased risks of heart disease and certain cancers.
“It’s reminiscent of tobacco growers who carried on producing tobacco until science pointed out, ‘Wait, tobacco causes cancer,’” remarked Dr. Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “Meat also contributes to cancer and many other health issues.”
Marion Nestle, a nutrition expert and professor at New York University, noted that the dietary guidelines “lean heavily towards red meat,” overlooking other quality protein options.
Proponents of the MAHA movement frequently highlight the health advantages of a meat-inclusive diet, citing protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy fats. At Meatstock, several speakers emphasized how a diet rooted in whole foods—with meat as a central component—has positively influenced their health.
“I eliminated all processed foods and focused on meat, vegetables, and some fruit. It transformed my health in a month,” said podcaster Mikhaila Peterson during the MAHA panel at Meatstock.
Peterson claimed that her dietary shift helped her manage arthritis and chronic fatigue symptoms. Some studies suggest a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet may alleviate arthritis and inflammation.
In addition to praising meat, the MAHA coalition highlights the dangers of ultra-processed foods and pesticides as contributors to chronic health issues.
“Ultra-processed foods and chemical exposures are significant immediate concerns since they impact nearly every American daily and are strongly correlated with chronic disease trends,” stated Hari.
Many supporters of the MAHA movement endorse non-industrial approaches to meat production. The USDA recently initiated a $700 million investment in a regenerative farming pilot program, with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins describing it as “yet another initiative propelled by President Trump’s commitment to Make America Healthy Again.”
“In the U.S., people enjoy meat and want it to be affordable,” noted Dan Blaustein-Rejto, director of food and agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute. “Shifting to a different system might restrict supply, making it challenging to meet current demand.”
Kim added that there is “definitely room for animals in a sustainable food system,” but he stressed that the overwhelming appetite for animal products in the U.S. far exceeds what could be sustained through more environmentally friendly methods.
The HHS did not respond to inquiries about how CAFOs align with the MAHA agenda.
The “Political Courage Is Lacking”
CAFOs create enormous amounts of manure, which can contaminate local water sources with nitrates. Exposure to high nitrate levels can lead to dangerously low oxygen levels in infants, causing “blue baby syndrome,” and is also connected to several cancers, including bladder, ovarian, and colorectal cancers.
Increasingly, studies link nitrate pollution from CAFOs to worsening health outcomes. In Iowa, a state with a high concentration of CAFOs, a recent report highlighted that nitrates from animal manure, along with pesticides and other pollutants, are contributing to the state’s rising cancer rates. In late May, Des Moines’ water utility urged residents to reduce water usage due to elevated nitrate levels in drinking supplies, making treatment increasingly difficult.
A significant CAFO study conducted by Yale researchers found that individuals living near CAFOs in California, Texas, and Iowa experience higher cancer rates.
More than 80 health and environmental organizations recently wrote to HHS and the EPA, urging them to utilize emergency powers to address a “public health crisis” caused by harmful industrial farming methods contaminating drinking water. CAFOs are also significant contributors to air pollution, contributing to the formation of particulate matter linked to respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
Nestle noted that societal perceptions of risk influence why pesticides and food dyes face harsh criticism while CAFOs often evade similar scrutiny.
“Animals are familiar to people; in their minds, animals are safe,” she explained. “Conversely, many people are unaware of the risks linked to chemicals, categorizing them as dangerous.”
Despite CAFO concerns, meat consumption in the U.S. is at an all-time high. A recent Food Industry Association survey indicated that most Americans consider meat a vital part of a healthy diet, with 2025 meat sales reaching a record $112 billion.
Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America and an advocate for MAHA causes, told The New Lede that the rise in meat consumption stems partly from “concerns created by Big Ag,” notably pesticides on vegetables and ultra-processed foods.
Honeycutt, who was the opening speaker at Meatstock and promotes organic, regenerative meat, acknowledged that this increasing demand for meat “presents challenges related to pastureland and dwindling resources.”
“While I believe many people should consume meat, we must address the sustainability of meat production through humane and ethical decision-making,” she stated.
“CAFOs represent a significant issue in our food supply, one that has been ignored by this and past administrations,” she added. “A better solution must be found.”
MAHA advocacy regarding industrial meat production has emerged. Honeycutt revealed her organization is pushing for the Senate to eliminate a provision in the current House-passed Farm Bill, which prevents state or local governments from putting animal welfare protections in place that diverge from other states’ regulations.
Hari mentioned that while MAHA has primarily focused on pesticides and ultra-processed foods, the movement has made a significant “cultural impact” on meat production.
“For example, Steak n’ Shake … transitioned to using 100% grass-fed meat, marking a positive shift away from industrially farmed meat,” she noted. “Such decisions by major fast-food chains can have far-reaching effects across the industry. While one chain’s change is a start, it certainly isn’t sufficient.”
Both Hari and Honeycutt have separately expressed concerns regarding various issues during the Trump administration—including its position on glyphosate—with which they disagree.
MAHA comprises “a group of independent thinkers,” Hari remarked. “While we may have different approaches to diet and nutrition, we all agree that Americans should consume more real food.”
She further expressed hope that the MAHA movement would increasingly spotlight meat production and its health and environmental repercussions, though she lamented that “political courage is currently lacking.”
