Snacking is becoming more expensive for many Americans, and food industry executives are responding. General Mills, one of the largest food companies in the world, reported a 5% decline in global sales and a 7% drop in North American sales last quarter. CEO Jeff Harmening blamed it on a "slowdown in snacking."

General Mills isn't alone. JM Smucker (which owns Hostess and Jif) and Campbell's (which owns Pepperidge Farm) reported sales declines of 2% and 3%, respectively, while Frito-Lay parent company PepsiCo reported its third consecutive quarterly revenue miss. Sales at U.S. convenience stores fell 4.3% at the end of February compared to last year. Executives attribute the slump to financial strain, rather than the popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic.

Snack prices have increased sharply. According to government data, a 16-ounce bag of potato chips has risen 29% in price since 2021, compared to a 23% increase in overall grocery costs. A February survey by the research firm NIQ found that 42% of U.S. consumers are reducing their snack purchases because of higher prices—even sales of dog treats have declined. 

However, financial strain may not be the sole driver of this downturn. The decline in snack sales also aligns with a broader cultural shift—one rooted less in cost-cutting and more in heightened scrutiny of food ingredients and the long-term health implications of processed snacking. Health-conscious conservatives are at the forefront of this shift, shaping household food choices with greater intention.

Conservatives have always influenced family food choices, but now they're wielding that power with greater awareness and purpose. The emergence of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement exemplifies a growing resistance to processed, sugar-laden, and chemically enhanced food products. Increasingly, conservative families scrutinize ingredient lists, reject artificial additives, and favor whole, organic, and minimally processed alternatives.

Media figures like Alex Clark, host of the podcast Culture Apothecary, have played a vital role in amplifying that shift. Clark regularly addresses the health risks associated with seed oils, hidden sugars, and synthetic ingredients commonly found in packaged foods. Her commentary resonates with a growing segment of health-conscious consumers, particularly women, demanding greater transparency from food manufacturers and re-evaluating the health implications of long-trusted brands.

Clark joined protestors outside Kellogg's headquarters, advocating for removing artificial dyes from popular breakfast cereals like Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks. Multiple studies have linked these synthetic colorings to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in children. While Kellogg's has already eliminated such dyes from its European and Canadian products due to stricter regulatory standards, the company continues to use them in many U.S. offerings. For many families, this discrepancy highlights a troubling double standard—and fuels calls for American food products to meet the same safety benchmarks as those abroad.

This movement signals more than a passing concern—it marks a broader cultural reawakening. For decades, conservatives and their families were told that convenience foods were affordable and practical. Now, many are confronting the hidden health costs of that convenience and demanding better. What was once framed as a private, household concern quickly became a public, values-driven campaign for food integrity and accountability.

This isn't the first time conservatives have flexed their influence in the marketplace. In 2023, Target faced intense backlash after releasing a line of "tucking" swimwear for children as part of its Pride Month collection, sparking nationwide protests and boycotts.  The incident underscored the purchasing power of parent-led movements and the cultural impact of consumer choice. That same scrutiny is now being directed at the food industry.

MAHA families who once passively reached for household-name brands are becoming more discerning. They're flipping over packaging, scanning for seed oils, artificial dyes, and preservatives. Many are swapping out legacy labels for cleaner alternatives—choosing MASA over Tostitos, Hu over Hershey's, and homemade sourdough over Wonder Bread. For these folks, healthy eating isn't just about nutrition; it's a quiet rebellion against a system they believe prioritizes profit over public health.

The rise of the MAHA movement is more than a health trend—it's a political and cultural statement. Rejecting processed snacks and sugary drinks is rooted in personal responsibility and a desire to protect the next generation. It's also a response to a loss of trust in institutions that once told us margarine was healthy and sugar was fine in moderation.

This shift aligns closely with culturally conservative values: skepticism toward large institutions and a strong emphasis on personal autonomy in health decisions. Much like the broader pushback against ideological overreach in schools and media, MAHA reflects a growing demand for truth and transparency. Moms aren't just reading labels—they're waking up to how deeply the system is stacked against them.

How far this shift will go remains to be seen, but early signals suggest consumer behavior is already changing.

Snacks are more expensive, but that's not the whole story. The decline in snack sales reflects a more profound rejection of processed food and a growing demand for healthier, more transparent options. Moms are driving this shift, and influencers like Alex Clark are helping them understand why it matters.

If current trends continue, food manufacturers may face increasing pressure to offer cleaner-label products in response to evolving consumer priorities. The pressure is already being felt. In May 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA announced plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply. This marked a significant policy victory for advocates pushing for healthier options.

As the push for healthier foods grows, consumer behavior is shifting, and the influence of the Make America Healthy Again movement may only be getting started.