More states are restricting junk food from SNAP benefits

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Six more states were granted waivers from the Department of Agriculture to prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits, or SNAP, from being used on certain processed food and beverages. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the assistance is meant to provide "health food" for low-income families. He cited foods like soda and candy as "products that fuel America's diabetes and chronic disease epidemics." "Our department has encouraged states to think differently and creatively about how to solve the many health issues facing Americans," Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. Earlier this month, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado and West Virginia were granted new waivers to restrict the purchase of so-called "junk food" with SNAP benefits starting in 2026.

Posted by gracieamazed at 02:53 PM | 7 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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They join six other states, Arkansas, Idaho, Utah, Nebraska, Indiana, and Utah, that have already received the waivers.

"The U.S. taxpayers should not be paying to feed kids foods, the poorest kids in our country, with foods that are gonna give them diabetes," Kennedy said.

Of the states that have been granted waivers so far, most will restrict the use of SNAP funds on soft drinks or sodas. While at least eight restrict candy purchases.

Comments

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This is going to hurt the corporations who produce junk foods.

Which means there are lobbyists currently trying to sink it and reverse any legislation.

#1 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-08-19 04:00 PM | Reply

I'm all in favor of limiting how much junk food people are eating.

I'd prefer it to be a personal choice.

But. This isn't bad.

All I know is, should a democrat have proposed such legislation, republicans would be losing their minds.

Also.

Is ketchup still a vegetable?

Maybe corporations will figure out how to rebrand their foods from junk food to vegetables too.

Potato chips are potatoes and coke is corn ... sounds healthier already.

#2 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-08-19 04:02 PM | Reply

I was OK with this back in the 70's, and still am, regardless of who is pushing it. Righties think they are punishing poor people but ultimately it will probably be helpful.

#3 | Posted by mattm at 2025-08-19 04:15 PM | Reply

"This is going to hurt the corporations who produce junk foods.
Which means there are lobbyists currently trying to sink it and reverse any legislation."

that seems to be working in blue states.

you would think it would be in reverse....blue states restricting the junk food vs the red states.

they're healthier in those states and it would make sense if they resisted that lobbying and implement the restrictions.

#4 | Posted by eberly at 2025-08-19 04:16 PM | Reply

I have no problem removing junk food from SNAP eligibility, which is corporate welfare not only for the junk food companies but for the health insurance companies that cover the junk food victims.

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-08-19 05:10 PM | Reply

I'm completely fine with this.

Not only is the food terrible for you, but it's also more expensive than buying good, decent food and produce. Most people buy that s*&^ out of convenience/laziness.

#6 | Posted by jpw at 2025-08-19 05:43 PM | Reply

This is the funniest post I've seen in months. A fat, retarded Floribama sea cow is posting about "junk food". Bwahaha
Bwahaha. Stop drinking Karo right from the jar, you fat retarded MAGAT ----.

#7 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-08-19 10:14 PM | Reply