Movement Toward Banning Soda Purchases With Food Stamps Gains Support

Multiple states are now seeking to ban soda purchases with food stamps, backing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s initiative to promote healthier eating habits among SNAP recipients.

Key Takeaways

West Virginia has taken the lead by announcing it would be submitting a waiver to the USDA to block SNAP benefits from being used to purchase soda.
Utah’s governor has also signed legislation supporting the move.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is encouraging all governors to submit similar waivers as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.
Ten states are currently considering legislation to restrict junk food purchases with SNAP benefits.
Critics argue the restrictions are paternalistic and fail to address the real issues of food accessibility and affordability in low-income areas, while supporters argue taxpayer dollars should go toward foods with nutritional value.
Approximately 42 million Americans received food stamps monthly in fiscal year 2023, with program changes potentially affecting nutrition nationwide.

States Leading the Charge Against Taxpayer-Funded Soda

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey is currently a leader in a movement to restrict soda purchases with SNAP benefits. Late last week, he announced he would be submitting a waiver request to the USDA. The initiative aligns with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, which aims to improve nutrition standards nationwide. Morrisey has also signed legislation banning certain artificial food dyes in school lunches, demonstrating a broader commitment to improving children’s nutrition in his state.

Utah has joined the effort as well with Governor Spencer Cox signing similar legislation to have a waiver sent to the USDA. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has also expressed concerns about SNAP promoting unhealthy food choices. According to reports, ten states are now considering legislation that would place restrictions on using food stamps for junk food, signaling a growing national trend toward nutritional reform in government assistance programs.

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

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

Kennedy’s Push for Nationwide Adoption

Secretary Kennedy has been vocal about his desire to see all states follow West Virginia’s example. His directive to governors comes with a political incentive – an invitation to celebrate at the White House for those who submit waivers. The campaign has received support from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, who pledged technical assistance to West Virginia and praised Morrisey’s leadership on the issue. Kennedy’s initiative appears to have bipartisan appeal, with supporters arguing that taxpayer dollars should prioritize nutritious foods.

Representative Josh Breechan, supporting similar restrictions, emphasized the financial logic behind the movement: “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.'” The stance highlights fiscal conservatives’ concerns about the long-term healthcare costs associated with poor nutrition.

Opposing Views

Not everyone supports these restrictions. The American Beverage Association has firmly opposed them, stating, “SNAP restrictions won’t make anyone healthier or save taxpayer dollars.” Critics argue that the approach is paternalistic and fails to address fundamental issues like food deserts in low-income neighborhoods, where fresh, healthy foods are often more expensive and less accessible than processed alternatives.

Gina Plata-Nino, an advocate for SNAP recipients, views the restrictions as stigmatizing: “This is just another way to cut benefits. It’s like, how do we restrict people more? How do we stigmatize them more?” Approximately 42 million Americans received food stamps monthly in fiscal year 2023, including nearly 300,000 West Virginians as of June 2023.

Procedural Challenges

The path to implementation faces procedural hurdles. The USDA, which administers SNAP, requires either congressional approval or state waivers to exclude certain foods from the program. Historically, this process has been challenging, with previous attempts to restrict purchases largely unsuccessful. However, the current administration’s support for these measures may streamline the approval process for states seeking waivers.

Health advocates remain optimistic that Kennedy’s campaign could lead to improved diet quality and nutrition within the SNAP program. As more states consider joining this movement, the debate continues about whether restricting food stamp purchases is an effective approach to addressing the nation’s nutritional challenges or if broader reforms addressing food accessibility and affordability would better serve vulnerable populations.