A new poll shows overwhelming support among parents for a key part of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative — a central part of President Trump’s national health agenda.

The Washington Post/KFF survey found that 8 in 10 parents support stronger regulations on chemical additives, dyes, and excess sugars in processed foods. These measures form the core of Kennedy’s MAHA plan to overhaul America’s food system.

However, only about 4 in 10 parents said they specifically identify as supporters of the MAHA movement itself. Support for the broader effort was strongest among Republicans, with 62% backing the initiative. Only 34% of independents and 17% of Democrats said the same.

Liz Hamel, vice president of public opinion research at KFF, said the numbers show MAHA has become a movement of its own.

“That suggests to me that for the average parent, MAHA is more of a political identity than one that’s really deeply rooted in the goals of the movement,” Hamel told the Washington Post.

An HHS spokesperson said the response from families has driven the agency to move faster.

“The American people have called for greater transparency and accountability in what’s in their food — and HHS is responding,” the spokesperson said.

“Guided by gold standard science, the Department is working to ensure that Americans have access to real, high-quality ingredients and a food system that is safer, healthier, and more transparent.”

President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have been leading the MAHA effort together, focusing on what they describe as a national health turnaround.

Trump said during his 2024 campaign that he wanted Kennedy to “go wild on health” and rebuild the country’s physical well-being from the ground up.

Recent studies show how serious the problem has become. Between 2007 and 2023, the number of American children suffering from obesity, chronic disease, and mental health issues sharply increased, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Kennedy said in a post on X, “Why are Americans so sick? We need to face that question, end the chronic disease epidemic, and Make America Healthy Again!”

As part of that effort, Kennedy has pushed for major food companies to phase out artificial dyes and harmful chemical ingredients. The campaign has already led to action from some of the world’s biggest brands.

Walmart announced earlier this month that it will remove synthetic dyes from all of its store-brand products by January 2027. Other major companies — including Nestlé, General Mills, and Kraft Heinz — have also started moving away from artificial additives in response to public demand.

Kennedy’s initiative has drawn attention across both parties for its focus on family health, clean ingredients, and transparency. His plan fits into Trump’s larger “America First” agenda by reducing reliance on imported processed ingredients and giving families more control over what they eat.

The MAHA campaign has also been credited with driving a wider cultural shift — one that prioritizes food quality and accountability over corporate convenience.

The Washington Post-KFF poll surveyed 2,716 parents and guardians of children under 18. It found that while the MAHA brand remains politically charged, its core ideas — healthier food, clearer labeling, and fewer chemicals — have massive bipartisan support.

For many parents, Kennedy’s message is simple: restoring the nation’s health starts with protecting its children.