Starting in the New Year, Americans in five states who receive government assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see new restrictions on soda, candy and other foods.
The restrictions were put in place as part of a push by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to urge states to ban coverage of unhealthy foods under the $100 billion federal food stamp program, which serves an estimated 42 million Americans.
The new restrictions also mark a departure from decades of U.S. federal policy that allowed SNAP benefits to be used for “any food or food product intended for human consumption,” excluding alcohol, tobacco and ready-to-eat meals.
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What is behind the restrictions?
The move — part of the Kennedy Jr. Make America Healthy Again – is aimed at improving public health by targeting chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes that are linked to sugary drinks and other treats.
“The only place I would say we really need to change policy is SNAP and food stamps and school lunches,” Kennedy told Fox News last week, adding, “That’s where the federal government pays for it in many cases. And we shouldn’t be subsidizing people to eat.”
Rollins echoed Kennedy Jr.’s sentiments.
“When taxpayers put money into SNAP, are they OK with us using their tax dollars to feed really bad food and sugary drinks to kids who maybe need something more nutritious?” the agriculture secretary said, as quoted by the Associated Press.
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Which states will see restrictions?
In Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia, the restrictions will go into effect on January 1, according to CNN, affecting about 1.4 million Americans.
While Utah and West Virginia will ban the use of SNAP benefits for soda and soft drink purchases, Indiana will bar candy bars and soft drinks.
Meanwhile, Nebraska will limit purchases of soda and energy drinks, while Iowa will ban soda, candy and some prepared foods.
The publication also reported that the aforementioned states could be the first of at least 18 states to enforce a ban on certain foods through SNAP.
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Experts warn of complications
While the push is to provide more healthy food to Americans through SNAP, experts interviewed by CNN said the federal aid program, already under pressure from steep budget cuts, may be unprepared for major change.
The National Retail Federation, for example, has warned of longer checkout lines and a higher volume of customer complaints as SNAP recipients learn which foods are affected by the new restrictions.
Meanwhile, the National Grocers Association said imposing the restrictions would initially cost U.S. retailers an estimated $1.6 billion, on top of the $759 million that reoccurs each year.
“It’s a disaster waiting for people trying to buy food and being turned away,” the publication quoted Kate Bauer, a nutrition expert at the University of Michigan, as saying.
Research also shows mixed results on whether limiting SNAP purchases improves diet quality and health.
