Millions face junk food ban as three US states join crackdown on snacks
Millions of people across the US are facing a crackdown on junk food, after a further three states confirmed they would ban those who claim SNAP benefits from using them to buy sugary drinks and snacks. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has approved waivers for Arkansas, Idaho and Utah - joining Indiana, Nebraska, Texas and Iowa - to amend the statutory definition of food and drink which is eligible for purchase under the program (Picture: Getty Images)
SNAP - which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and which was formerly known as food stamps - is currently claimed by 41.6m Americans on low incomes. Recipients can use their benefits at selected grocery stores and restaurants. According to the USDA they can be used to buy any food for the household, including meat, poultry and fish, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, breads and cereals, snack foods, non-alcoholic drinks and seeds or plants which can be used to produce food. They cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, vitamins and supplements, pet foods, cleaning supplies or any food which is hot at the point of sale (Picture: Getty Images)
However the new restrictions will prevent people from using SNAP to pay for products such as candy bars and potato chips. Sodas and sugary drinks will also face a clampdown, with any non-alcoholic drinks made with water that also contain more than five grams of added sugar, or any amount of artificial sweetener, will be off-limits. Milk-based drinks and fruit juice will not be included in the ban (Picture: Getty Images)
The rules will, however vary from one state to the next. In Nebraska, for example, only soda and energy drinks will be banned, whereas in Iowa snacks, candy and sweetened drinks will all be unavailable to purchase with SNAP benefits. Those who claim them will still be able to purchase the items for the time being - as the waivers in Utah, Idaho, Nebraska, Indiana and Iowa will take effect from January 1 2026, while the new rules will apply in Arkansas from July 1 2026. Meanwhile the Texas Tribune has reported that the ban there could go into effect as soon as September 1 (Picture: Getty Images)
The move comes as Republican legislators attempt to improve the eating habits of Americans. Rollins said in a statement: 'The Trump Administration is unified in improving the health of our nation. America’s governors have proudly answered the call to innovate by improving nutrition programs, ensuring better choices while respecting the generosity of the American taxpayer' (Picture: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Meanwhile Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has advised all state governors to follow suit and eliminate sugary drinks from the SNAP program, saying 'Taxpayer dollars should never bankroll products that fuel the chronic disease epidemic' (Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
It follows Kennedy Jr's push to have synthetic dyes removed from US food, in his bid to make the nation's diet healthier. The politician said in a press release:'For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent. These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development' (Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
