Push To Ban Soda Purchases With Food Stamps Gains Momentum

A few states are now pushing to ban soda purchases with SNAP benefits as part of a movement to realign the federal assistance program with nutritional goals.

Key Insights

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is championing state waivers to ban soda purchases with SNAP benefits as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.
West Virginia and Utah are leading the charge, with both states planning to send waivers to the USDA.
Critics argue these restrictions are paternalistic and don’t address food deserts or the price disparity between healthy and unhealthy foods.
Those supporting the move argue taxpayer funds should be used to promote healthier eating choices.
Ten states are currently considering legislation to restrict junk food purchases with SNAP benefits.
Approximately 42 million Americans received SNAP benefits monthly in fiscal year 2023.

Kennedy Administration Pushes for SNAP Reform

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken a firm stance on restricting soda purchases with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The initiative is part of his broader “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, which aims to improve American diets and reduce chronic disease. Kennedy has publicly encouraged governors nationwide to follow West Virginia’s example by applying for USDA waivers that would block the use of food stamps for purchasing sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages.

States Taking Action

West Virginia has emerged as a frontrunner in the movement to reform SNAP purchases. Governor Patrick Morrisey announced last week that he would be submitting a waiver request to the USDA seeking permission to block the use of SNAP benefits for soda. This action follows his signing of legislation to ban certain artificial food dyes in school lunches, signaling a comprehensive approach to nutrition policy. Meanwhile, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed similar legislation that will mandate the state’s Health Department to submit a similar waiver, restricting soda purchases with food stamps. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has also voiced concerns about SNAP promoting unhealthy food choices in the past.

These state-level initiatives have received federal support from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, who pledged technical assistance to West Virginia’s efforts. Currently, ten states reportedly are considering similar legislation to restrict SNAP purchases of junk food, potentially marking a significant shift in how nutrition assistance is administered nationwide. The movement reflects growing concerns about the role government assistance should play in promoting healthy eating habits in communities struggling with high rates of obesity and related health issues.

RFK Jr. Issues New Directive After State’s SNAP Move on Soda https://t.co/ydpSyYqeip

— The Charlotte Observer (@theobserver) March 29, 2025

Opposition and Concerns

The proposed restrictions have drawn criticism from various quarters. The American Beverage Association opposes the measures, stating that “SNAP restrictions won’t make anyone healthier or save taxpayer dollars.” Some experts, like Dr. Ben Chrisinger from Tufts University, question the effectiveness of such restrictions, saying that healthier foods are often more expensive and less accessible in lower-income neighborhoods where many SNAP recipients live.

Critics like Gina Plata-Nino view the restrictions as stigmatizing and potentially harmful, arguing, “This is just another way to cut benefits. It’s like, how do we restrict people more? How do we stigmatize them more?” Others, including Valerie Imbruce, have criticized the approach as paternalistic and failing to address the root causes of unhealthy food choices, such as federal subsidies that make junk foods cheaper than healthy alternatives.

Support and Broader Context

While some have criticized the move, others view it as a way to promote healthier eating choices. Many Republicans have argued taxpayer dollars shouldn’t go toward paying for sugary items like soda.

Rep. Josh Breechan, an Oklahoma Republican, said, “If someone wants to buy junk food on their own dime, that’s up to them. But what we’re saying is, ‘Don’t ask the taxpayer to pay for it and then also expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the resulting health consequences.’”

Utah State Rep. Kristen Chevrier, a Republican, also spoke up about the issue, saying that lawmakers shouldn’t and are not forcing anyone to eat certain foods, “but we should also not use tax funds to subsidize choices that don’t have nutritional value/”

The debate over SNAP restrictions occurs against the backdrop of significant program participation, with approximately 42 million Americans receiving food stamps monthly in fiscal year 2023. In West Virginia alone, 293,550 people were receiving benefits as of June 2023. The USDA, which administers SNAP, requires either congressional approval or state waivers to exclude certain foods, a process that has historically been challenging to navigate successfully.

The push for SNAP reform represents a larger national conversation about the appropriate role of government in promoting nutrition, respecting individual choice, and allocating taxpayer resources. As more states consider similar measures, this debate is likely to intensify, potentially reshaping one of America’s largest nutrition assistance programs.