Efforts to eliminate sugary drinks, candy, and other unhealthy items from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the United States have been proposed in the past and may receive support from new officials in the Trump administration. Newly appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have both expressed interest in removing these items from SNAP, which assists low-income families in purchasing nutritious food.
Kennedy has been particularly vocal about the need to revise SNAP policies, advocating for the program to stop funding purchases of soda and processed foods. Rollins has also indicated her willingness to collaborate with Kennedy on this issue, questioning the use of taxpayer dollars to provide unhealthy food to children in need of better nutrition.
However, altering the SNAP program to exclude certain foods is a complex process. The program is overseen by the USDA, not the HHS, and is managed at the state level. The federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 permits SNAP benefits to be used for any food intended for human consumption, with some exceptions such as alcohol, tobacco, and hot prepared foods.
Implementing restrictions would require legislative changes or state waivers, which historically have not been approved by either Republican or Democratic administrations. Critics argue that limiting food choices for SNAP recipients, who receive an average of $187 per month, undermines their autonomy and dignity. Research shows that SNAP users are not more likely than other low-income individuals to purchase sugary drinks or snacks.
Advocates caution that such restrictions could further stigmatize recipients and reduce their access to essential nutrition. Proposals to limit SNAP benefits are being considered at both the federal and state levels, but face challenges in implementation and potential negative impacts on those in need.
Breechan, a Republican from Oklahoma, was the driving force behind the introduction of the Healthy SNAP Act. “If individuals choose to purchase unhealthy food items using their own funds, that is their prerogative,” he stated. “However, the crux of our argument is this: taxpayers should not foot the bill for such purchases, only to then shoulder the burden of the resulting health issues.”
One recipient of SNAP benefits disclosed that she utilizes her monthly $291 allowance to acquire essentials like meat, oil, milk, and coffee. Martina Santos, a 66-year-old resident of New York City, supplements these staples with fresh produce obtained from a local pantry operated by the West Side Campaign Against Hunger, an organization she also volunteers for. Due to her struggles with diabetes and other health ailments, she stressed the significance of using these benefits exclusively for nutritious foods.
“For me, SNAP serves as a means to access healthy food options, which can help individuals steer clear of prevalent health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension,” Santos emphasized.
In Kansas and other states, the debate surrounding proposals to restrict the purchase of soft drinks and candy through SNAP sheds light on the complexities involved in enacting such policy changes. Multiple bills currently under consideration aim to prohibit the use of SNAP funds for soft drinks, while permitting the purchase of beverages containing milk, milk alternatives such as soy or almond milk, or drinks consisting of over 50% vegetable or fruit juice. Candy is defined as any non-perishable, flour-free confection made with “sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings, presented in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.”
Clarifying this definition, certain items like Kit Kat and Twix bars, which contain flour, would not fall under the ban. Additionally, juices with high sugar content but comprising more than half fruit juice by volume would remain permissible for purchase.
The persistent challenges in reforming the SNAP program have lingered for decades. However, there is a sense of optimism that the current momentum, fueled by Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, may usher in a renewed focus on addressing the issues related to poor dietary choices that contribute to major health risks and premature mortality.
Dr. Anand Parekh, the chief medical officer at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., expressed hope that the current climate could instigate collaborative efforts across party lines to explore innovative solutions for enhancing dietary quality and nutritional standards within the SNAP program.
