Four States Aim to Have Soda and Candy Removed From Food Stamps Program

Articles

Summary

Some U.S. states want to ban food stamp recipients from buying soda and candy. Here's why.

Food stamp recipients also would be barred from using their benefits to buy nonfood items, such as soap or toothpaste, as well as alcohol or tobacco.

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CBS News

Arkansas and Indiana ask USDA to let them ban soda and candy from SNAP

Antihunger groups oppose SNAP food restrictions, saying that research shows that program participants are no more likely than other low-income Americans to buy sugary drinks or snack foods.

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Dayton Daily News

Arkansas moves to ban 'junk food' from SNAP program: 'Definition of crazy'

Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a plan to restrict the types of food that can be purchased with food stamps, becoming one of the first governors to seek federal permission to ban items like soda and candy from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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Fox News

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News Results

At least 4 states are attempting to ban soda and candy from food stamps programs

Governors of Arkansas, Idaho and Indiana all said they would submit a waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The move follows a similar announcement from the governor of West Virginia last month. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, whose department oversees SNAP, has said she would approve such waivers.

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15m ago

Arkansas files USDA waiver to limit SNAP junk food

(The Center Square) – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she wants her state to eat healthier.

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14m ago

Arkansas asks USDA to let it ban soda and candy from SNAP

Arkansas asks USDA to let it ban soda and candy from SNAP program. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the request is aimed at improving health. The plan would take effect in July 2026. American taxpayers “deserve a say in what the program funds,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says.

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14m ago

Grocery shoppers react to SNAP sweet treat restriction

One shopper said those families should have no problem feeding their children healthy meals.

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15m ago

Two States Request to Ban Soda, Candy From SNAP Benefits: What To Know

Arkansas and Indiana are the first states to officially request waivers from the USDA to ban the purchase of so-called "junk" foods using the benefit. SNAP benefits are paid to low- and no-income households across the U.S. that would otherwise struggle to afford groceries. At present, no state has a waiver that restricts SNAP recipients from purchasing certain foods.

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15m ago

Proposed Alabama bill would ban buying soda with food stamps

Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, has filed a bill that would ban soda from SNAP benefits. The bill would require the Department of Human Resources to annually request a waiver from the federal government to exclude soda. Several other Republican-led states are pushing to submit waivers to ban soda and candy from SNAP.

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15m ago

Shoppers can't buy soda & candy under rule change - & it applies to fruit treats

New rule will restrict certain Americans from buying sugary and high-calorie sweets, diet sodas, and fruit juice with less than 50 percent natural juice. Lawmakers hope that removing sugary items from the list of food stamp-eligible products will improve the health of residents relying on the program.

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16m ago

Map Shows Where Soda Could Be Being Banned From SNAP Benefits

SNAP benefits are distributed across the country to support low- and no-income households that might otherwise have difficulty affording groceries. In 2023, the program provided assistance to an average of 42.1 million Americans each month. Numerous U.S. states are either considering SNAP bans on soda and other items.

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16m ago

Arkansas announces plan to remove some junk food from SNAP

The waiver would remove soft drinks and candy from the food stamps program.

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16m ago

3 states move to ban use of food stamps to buy candy, soda

Three states have asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ban the sale of low-calorie drinks and candy. The ban would be in place for five years, but could be extended if necessary. The move would encourage people to eat more healthily, officials say.

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17m ago