Three Republican-led states are the first to request bans on using food stamps to purchase some junk food, a change pushed by the Trump administration.
Officials in Arkansas, Indiana and Idaho submitted waiver requests to the U.S. Department of Agriculture which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the official name of food stamps, to prohibit using the benefits for buying soft drinks and candy.
In a statement, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the move would encourage people in her state to use their SNAP benefits for healthier foods.
“Banning soft drinks and candy from food stamps will remove some of the least-healthy, most-processed foods from the program and encourage low-income Arkansans to eat better,” Sanders said.
Waiver requests were also made by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and Idaho Gov. Brad Little.
Similar requests have been denied by the USDA in the past but the Trump administration has indicated it will fast-track the request, The Hill reported.
Under the terms of the waiver, SNAP benefits would be eliminated for all types of soda and “unhealthy drinks” for five years beginning in 2026. Low and no-calorie fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50 percent natural juice, candy and confections made with flour would also be on the SNAP no-buy list. Flavored waters, carbonated waters and sports drinks will be allowed.
Under current SNAP regulations, benefits can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy, bread and cereal, snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages and seeds and plants. SNAP cannot be used for beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco, vitamins, medicines or supplements, or hot foods.
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