GOP-led states ready to restrict soda and candy, but there is a catch

Republican-led states are moving to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) by banning junk food from assistance programs.

Chips, soda, candy and more may soon be disallowed for those receiving taxpayer-funded benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In fact, Colorado is the “only blue state to seek and have a soda ban waiver approved, and the only waiver state to propose expanding SNAP benefits in conjunction with limiting its scope,” according to The Hill.

While members of both parties have, over time, suggested the removal of items like soda from SNAP, President Donald Trump is the first president to encourage states to act on it. Famously, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Democrat, attempted to restrict the sale of large, sugar-laden beverages. This move was rejected by Republicans who rallied against such “nanny state” legislation.

The difference is, states would be moving to prevent taxpayer dollars from going toward food and drink with no nutritional value or health benefits, which is a promotion of the MAHA ethos coined by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“We all believe in free choice, we live in a democracy. … If you want to buy sugary soda, you ought to be able to do that. The U.S. taxpayer should not pay for it,” Kennedy said during a press conference.

“In just the first six months of the new administration, 12 state waivers have been approved by the USDA that restrict SNAP recipients from purchasing some combination of soft drinks, sugary beverages, energy drinks and candy,” the outlet reported.

These states include:

Idaho

Indiana

Louisiana

Arkansas

Texas

Colorado

Utah

West Virginia

Florida

Iowa

Oklahoma

Nebraska

Currently, SNAP benefits have few restrictions, allowing recipients to purchase most food and beverages from a grocery store with the exception of supplements, hot food or alcohol. This means that prepared foods that may be healthy are being frowned upon, while things like chips, soda, candy and other junk food items full of empty calories are being footed by the American taxpayer.

“Additionally, while federal data show sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet, nutrition experts said there is limited evidence that shows SNAP soda bans lead to better health outcomes,” The Hill explained.

“Claiming that implementing these restrictions will absolutely lead to a curb in diet-related diseases, you cannot confidently say that. There is no evidence to support that statement,” said Deputy Director for Healthy Food Access at the Center for Science in the Public Interest Joelle Johnson.

The SNAP waivers mentioned above would be used for pilot programs so states could research the potential effects of restrictions on their respective populations.