If you live in one of these 12 states:
- Florida
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Texas
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
- Utah
Then at some point next year, you’ll no longer be able to buy soda with SNAP funds.
All 12 of these states have been granted waivers by the federal government to ban soda purchases with SNAP funds (among other things) under HHS Secretary RFK, Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. The waivers take effect between January and July 2026, depending on the state.
In many cases, it’s not just soda – some states were granted waivers to ban energy drinks, candy, and all kinds of other junk food, too.
The idea is simple: End government subsidies for unhealthy food and drink. Of course, the counter-argument is that people should have the freedom to spend any money given to them as they see fit. (Or that restrictions will cause an administrative burden that make it harder for retailers to accept SNAP and for people to use their benefits.)
With that in mind, what’s your take? Is this a positive move for public health, government overreaching on people’s freedoms? Something else entirely?
Leave a comment with your take, and join the discussion!
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