Latest news with #SupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram
16 hours ago
- Health
New SNAP rules explained: 6 more states restrict purchases of processed 'junk' foods
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that six additional states had been granted waivers allowing them to prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used on certain processed foods and drinks. Kennedy joined U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Monday as Rollins signed the six new waivers, which allow the states to amend what the food assistance benefits -- colloquially referred to as food stamps -- can be used for at the grocery store. "SNAP is a supplemental nutrition program meant to provide health food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being," Rollins said. "That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program, the law states it and President Trump's USDA plans to deliver on it." In a statement, Kennedy added, "For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy -- products that fuel America's diabetes and chronic disease epidemics. These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health." The new waivers will restrict the purchase of so-called "junk food" with SNAP funds in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida and West Virginia starting in 2026. Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Utah were granted similar waivers for SNAP reform earlier this year. What is SNAP? The federally funded program, once known as food stamps, issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. It is run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which administers federal food assistance programs. "SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families," the USDA states on its website. "Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income and other factors." On average, according to USDA data, SNAP served 42.1 million people per month in 2023, which accounts for more than 12.5% of the population. What foods and beverages are restricted by the waivers? Of the 12 states that have been granted SNAP waivers so far, most will restrict the use of SNAP funds on purchases of soft drinks or sodas, and at least eight restrict the use of SNAP funds on candy purchases. Some also prohibit food benefits from being used on purchases of energy drinks and, in Arkansas, the purchase of "fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice." Additionally, Florida will prohibit SNAP funds from being used on purchases of "prepared desserts," and Iowa will restrict the purchase of "all taxable food items as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except food producing plants and seeds for food producing plants." This includes items like candy, certain ready-to-eat snacks, soft drinks and gum. The new restrictions will go into effect in 2026. Click here for a full list of prohibited items and links for additional state information. While all of this is being done under the banner of "making America healthy again" and fighting chronic disease, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton said "there's no evidence that taking away access to soda will actually fight these conditions." He noted however, that "sugar is one of those culprits that you always have to be mindful of" regardless. "The U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that men have no more than 35 grams and women no more than 25 grams per day," Sutton said.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Park Ridge city leaders could ban single use plastic grocery bags or tax them. Business owners to weigh in.
Park Ridge city leaders are considering either outright banning single use plastic bags or charging for them at major grocers. At the City Council Committee of the Whole meeting Monday, aldermen discussed ideas for potential restrictions. While the matter was not up for a vote, the council seemed eager to restrict the use of plastic bags at large grocery stores while leaving small, locally-owned businesses unaffected. 'I would be interested in pursuing something like an all-out ban on plastic [bags] and leave paper [bags] as it is. And, target only the 5,000 square-foot stores so the small stores, they wouldn't even be touched by this,' said Alderperson Joseph Steinfels. Based on the discussion, the council seemed open to ban the bags outright or tax them. But in both instances, the action would only apply to grocery stores over 5,000 square feet. Paper bags wouldn't be affected. In addition, there would likely be carve-outs for prescription drug bags and for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – known as food stamps – users, similar to Chicago regulations. In Chicago, retailers charge customers a dime per plastic bag and most of that money goes to the city. Other communities, notably Evanston, have plastic bag bans outright. Park Ridge Community Preservation and Development Director Drew Awsumb started the discussion on the top, telling the council he wanted some direction on the matter. He said town leaders could either do nothing, start a pilot program or simply begin a ban or a use tax. John Scopelliti, a city planner, presented the options to the COTW, though he told council members he had not yet spoken to local business owners about their preference because he wanted to see first what aldermen might want to pursue. Awsumb said the Chamber of Commerce has shown an interest in helping gauge business input. 'We talked to the chamber and they are interested in being part of that,' he said. Michelle LaGrotta, a member of the Sustainability Commission, said that group recommends an outright ban on plastic bags, since studies show that is the best way to reduce use. 'An all-out ban on single use plastic bags is what's most effective at reducing the use of those bags,' she said. She pointed out that in communities that single out single-use bags have had stores move to thicker bags, arguing that those bags could be reused. But, they're not. She also suggested a tax on paper bags. Taken together, those moves would strongly urge residents to use reusable bags. 'Moving toward reusable bags is preferred,' she said. For now, city officials will begin talking with larger local retailers, though some alderpersons said they doubted grocers Jewel and Mariano's would care what the city decides. They both operate in areas with bans and one with taxes. 'Mariano's and Jewel aren't affected by this,' said Alderperson Kelly Lawrence. 'They're in other communities that have this.' Awsumb said he'd talk to retailers and see what a ban would look like and report back to the City Council.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Trump administration allows six more states to bar SNAP benefits for processed food
The Trump administration on Monday approved six additional states seeking to ban food stamp recipients from purchasing processed food. Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas and Florida received federal waivers to adjust Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) guidelines outlawing the purchase of junk food with state funds in 2026. Colorado was the first blue state to adopt the measure. 'SNAP is a supplemental nutrition program meant to provide health food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being,' Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Monday before signing the waivers. 'That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program, the law states it and President Trump's USDA plans to deliver on it,' she added. Rollins approved the effort in May after Nebraska received the first federal waiver to ban soda and energy drinks from food stamps purchases. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has lauded the measure as a part of his 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign. 'U.S. taxpayers should not be paying to feed kids foods, the poorest kids in our country, with foods that are going to give them diabetes. And then my agency ends up, through Medicaid and Medicare, paying for those injuries,' Kennedy said on Monday. 'We're going to put an end to that, and we're doing it step by step, state by state,' he added. Researchers have long argued that SNAP restrictions are unlikely to change eating patterns, and that it will be costly for the federal government to track 650,000 food and beverage products on the market and 20,000 new products introduced annually, according to economic policy researcher Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach's 2017 testimony before the House Committee on Agriculture. However, Trump administration officials have lauded the effort. 'I hope to see all 50 states join this bold commonsense approach. For too long, the root causes of our chronic disease epidemic have been addressed with lip service only,' said the U.S. Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary, according to NBC News.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Six More States Ban Junk Food From SNAP Benefits
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Six more states have banned junk food purchases from being bought with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced. West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas have all had new waivers approved that allow each state to modify what can and can't be bought using food benefits. Across all of these states, the change will impact approximately 8.5 million people. It brings the total number of states banning junk purchases to 12, following similar waiver approvals earlier this year for Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Utah. Why It Matters SNAP benefits, also known as "food stamps," are paid to low- and no-income households across the U.S. that would otherwise struggle to afford groceries. Across the country, more than 40 million people receive the allowance. A customer shops for produce at an H-E-B grocery store on February 12, 2025, in Austin, Texas. A customer shops for produce at an H-E-B grocery store on February 12, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/GETTY What To Know A waiver grants flexibility by modifying specific USDA program rules, enabling states to administer the SNAP program in different ways. Various states currently have SNAP waivers in place, and they were widely implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to help Americans get better access to food benefits. The new waivers, while different for each state, mean that starting in 2026 certain types of foods can no longer be bought using electronic benefit transfer cards, which are loaded every month with payments to spend in participating grocery providers across the country. Junk food generally refers to foods that have lots of calories, particularly those high in macronutrients such as sugar and fat, but little nutritional value. In Texas, the ban will cover soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts, while in Louisiana, soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy will be banned. Some of the waivers are less restrictive: in Colorado and West Virginia, only soft drinks will no longer be eligible for purchase. The push to tighten rules around unhealthy purchases has been led by Republican states, with Colorado being the only Democratic state to join the throng. Proponents of limiting SNAP purchases have argued removing unhealthy foods from the program will improve health outcomes, while others have argued that it controls how America's poorest eat and fails to address wider problems regarding access to affordable, healthy food. What People Are Saying Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy: "For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy—products that fuel America's diabetes and chronic disease epidemics. "These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health. I thank the governors who have stepped up to request waivers, and I encourage others to follow their lead. This is how we Make America Healthy Again." Texas Governor Greg Abbott: "To ensure the health and well-being of Texans, we must promote better, healthier food habits. Earlier this year, I requested a waiver from the USDA to ensure SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase junk food. "I applaud [Agriculture] Secretary [Brooke L.] Rollins and the Trump Administration for their approval of this waiver to support and promote healthy eating habits. The state of Texas will continue to consider innovative ways for Texans to lead healthy and productive lives." Kavelle Christie, a health policy and advocacy expert and director at the Center for Regulatory Policy and Health Innovation, previously told Newsweek: "The issue isn't about individuals misusing their benefits, but their limited choices. In many rural areas and food deserts, convenience stores and fast-food chains are often the only available options. "For many families, fresh produce and healthy meals are luxuries that are unattainable, not because they do not want these foods, but because they are unavailable or too expensive." A food desert refers to an area, usually a low-income community, where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables. What Happens Next Each of the waivers will go into effect in 2026, meaning there will be no immediate changes for SNAP beneficiaries across the impacted states for now. Most come into effect early next year.
NBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- NBC News
U.S. farm agency allows six more states to bar some items from food aid
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday allowed six additional states to bar participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from using their benefits to buy certain processed foods, such as sodas and candy. The SNAP waivers for West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas amend the statutory definition of food for purchase and put an end to the subsidization of popular types of junk food beginning in 2026. The administration of President Donald Trump has encouraged all states to take such measures as part of its 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, named for the social movement led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The USDA had so far signed waivers to allow six states — Arkansas, Idaho, Utah, Iowa, Indiana and Nebraska — to place similar purchasing restrictions on SNAP recipients. 'I hope to see all 50 states join this bold commonsense approach. For too long, the root causes of our chronic disease epidemic have been addressed with lip service only,' said the U.S. Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the additional waivers at an event at the USDA headquarters in Washington. 'These state waivers promote healthier options for families in need,' said Secretary Rollins. More than 42 million people receive SNAP benefits, sometimes called food stamps, as part of the nation's largest anti-hunger program. The massive tax cut and spending bill signed by President Trump in July makes significant changes to the SNAP program, including expanding work requirements and shifting more spending for the program to states.
