MAHA RFK Jr. Movement gained momentum in statehouses. Here’s what to expect in 2026.

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This article appeared for the first time KFF Health News.

When one of Adam Burkhammer’s foster children struggled with hyperactivity, the West Virginia legislator and his wife decided to change their diet and remove all foods containing synthetic dyes.

“We have seen a change in his behavior and the behavior of other children,” said Burkhammer, who with his wife adopted or fostered 10 children. “There is a real impact on real children.”

The Republican turned his experience into legislation by sponsoring the bill ban seven dyes from food sold within the state. It went into effect in March, making West Virginia the first state to implement such a ban on all foods.

This law was one of many state efforts to regulate synthetic dyes. As of 2025, approximately 75 food coloring bills have been introduced in 37 states. National Conference of State Legislatures.

Chemical dyes and nutrition are just one part of the broader Make America Healthy Again agenda. MAHA ideas, promoted by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., took deep root at the state level, with robust support from Republicans and, in some places, Democrats as well. 50 billion dollars Rural Health Transformation Program — created last year as part of the GOP One Big Beautiful Bill Act to escalate access to health care in rural areas — offers incentives for states that implement MAHA policies.

Federal and state officials are pushing for a wide range of health policy changes, including phasing out routine vaccinations and expanding the apply of drugs like ivermectin for treatments beyond their approved uses. State lawmakers have introduced dozens laws regarding vaccinesfluoridated water and PFAS, a group of compounds known as “forever chemicals” that have been linked to cancer and other health problems.

In addition to West Virginia, six other states have focused on food dyes through recent laws or executive orders, requiring warning labels on foods containing certain dyes or banning the sale of such products in schools. As of 2023, California will have a law regulating food dyes.

Most synthetic dyes used to color food are synthetic dyes around for decades. Some clinical studies have shown an association between their apply and hyperactivity in children. And in early 2025, in the final days of President Joe Biden’s term, the Food and Drug Administration banned the apply of dyes known as Red No. 3.

The largest food companies, including: Nestle, Hershey and PepsiCo have joined this initiative, pledging to eliminate at least some dyes from food products over the next year or two.

“We anticipate the momentum we saw in 2025 will continue into 2026, with a particular focus on ingredient safety and transparency,” said John Hewitt, senior vice president of state affairs at the Consumer Brands Association, a trade group for food manufacturers.

Last summer, the group urged its members to do just that voluntarily eliminate federally certified artificial colors from its products by the end of 2027.

“State regulations actually incentivize companies to get rid of dyes,” he said Jensen Joselegal advisor to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a non-profit health organization.

Andy Baker-Whitesenior director of state health policy at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said he found the bipartisan support for bills on food dyes and ultra-processed foods unusual. Several red states have proposed regulations modeled on California’s 2023 law that bans four food additives.

“It’s not very often you see states like California and West Virginia coming together to spearhead an issue,” Baker-White said.

Although Democrats have joined Republicans in some of these efforts, Kennedy continues to lead the agenda. He appeared with Texas officials as the state passed a package of food regulations, including one that prohibits people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP, or food stamps – from using their benefits to buy candy and sugary drinks. In December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a similar measure waivers requested by six countries. Eighteen states will block SNAP purchases these items in 2026.

There will certainly be more. The Rural Health Transformation Program also offers incentives to states that have implemented SNAP restrictions.

“There are real and concrete impacts when rural health care dollars give points for changes to SNAP eligibility or SNAP definitions,” Baker-White said.

In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that states: legal definition of ultra-processed food and withdraw them from schools. This is a move that may be copied in other states in 2026 and will also fuel legal battles. In December, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu sued the largest food companiesaccusing them of selling “harmful and addictive” products. Lawsuit lists specific brands – including cereal, pizza, soda and potato chips – linking them to sedate health problems.

Kennedy too he blamed ultra-processed foods for chronic diseases. However, even supporters of efforts to address nutritional issues disagree on which foods to choose. Right-wing MAHA supporters did not focus on sugar and soda as much as policymakers on the left. The sides also clashed over the support of some Republicans raw milkthat can spread harmful germs, and ingestion saturated fatwhat contributes to heart disease.

Policymakers expect other flashpoints. He passes by FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that hinder access to vaccines have prompted blue states to find ways to set their own standards beyond federal recommendations, and 15 Democratic governors have announced recent alliance for public health in October. Meanwhile, more red states may eliminate vaccine requirements for workers; Idaho made them illegal. And Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing to do just that eliminate vaccination mandates in schools.

Even though Kennedy advocates eliminating artificial colors, the Environmental Protection Agency has done so relaxed restrictions on chemicals and pesticides, which led MAHA activists to do so send a petition online calling on President Donald Trump to fire EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

Congress has not yet taken action on most MAHA proposals. But state lawmakers are ready to address many of them.

“If we’re being honest, Americans have lost faith in some of our federal institutions, whether it’s the FDA or the CDC,” said Burkhammer, the West Virginia lawmaker. “We are going to act as states and do the right thing.”

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