Five states are implementing new restrictions on what foods, like soda and candy, can be purchased with SNAP benefits, as part of a federal initiative to improve public health by limiting 'unhealthy' food options.
Starting Thursday, Americans in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will face new restrictions on purchasing certain foods, primarily targeting soda, candy, and other items deemed unhealthy. These states are the first of at least 18 to enact waivers prohibiting these purchases, driven by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins's push to reduce chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Kennedy stated the goal is to stop funding programs that contribute to illness. However, retail industry and health policy experts warn of significant challenges, including a lack of clear lists of affected foods, complex point-of-sale issues, and an estimated initial cost of $1.6 billion for retailers. Critics also predict longer checkout lines, increased customer complaints, and greater stigma for SNAP recipients. Research on whether such restrictions improve diet quality and health remains mixed. These waivers mark a departure from decades of federal policy allowing SNAP benefits for nearly any food product. Anti-hunger advocates argue the waivers punish recipients and fail to address the underlying issues of healthy food affordability.
