Recently, Republican governors from Arkansas and Indiana introduced major alterations to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), proposing to eliminate processed drinks and sugary candies from the program’s authorized food list. The policy initiatives originated from state-level SNAP reforms, which aim to improve nutrition standards while addressing the health risks linked to poor dietary habits among low-income Americans.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders outlined her state’s proposal at a joint press conference with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who emphasized improving the health of Arkansas’s roughly 350,000 SNAP participants. Sanders argued that federal tax money supports unhealthy ways of life leading to elevated medical expenses for the public.
A new proposal emerged in Indiana as Governor Mike Braun worked together with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services leader Mehmet Oz. The program seeks to adhere to nutritional principles instead of allowing soda and candy purchases through its current system. Kennedy promotes “Make America Healthy Again” as a campaign to address what he calls destructive food systems responsible for America’s health deterioration. Kennedy asserted that the foundation of national strength emerges through individual health.
New regulations in the Arkansas plan will prohibit SNAP beneficiaries from purchasing sodas (including diet versions), candy, and juice drinks with under 50% real juice from July 2026 onward. The updated program adds hot rotisserie chicken to eligible food items, reversing a previous SNAP restriction.
Under Indiana’s recently proposed policies candy together with sugar-filled beverages would be excluded from the SNAP benefit program. Governor Braun also issued executive orders established more demanding work requirements while reintroducing income and asset verifications, and triggering an administrative error review process.
The proposed reforms to SNAP have encountered opposition from both antihunger groups and representatives of the food industry. According to the Food Research and Action Center, SNAP recipients spend their benefits on unhealthy items no more than other individuals with limited income. Some critics argue that the food restrictions are detrimental to individual dignity by reducing food selection, while the monthly benefit is approximately $187 or a daily amount of $6.20.
Several groups representing beverage producers as well as confectionery businesses have strongly opposed these proposals. Through the American Beverage Association, policymakers received criticism for acting like food police instead of taking action on employment and economic stability issues. The National Confectioners Association stated that both SNAP and non-SNAP consumers view candy as an occasional treat, labeling the restrictions unproductive.
The USDA supervises SNAP through its partnership with states, while the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 establishes the program regulations. The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 enables food purchases for human consumption with a few exceptions, which include alcohol, tobacco, and hot prepared dishes. A household can get SNAP benefits when its income matches or falls below 130% of the federal poverty level requirements.
States must obtain federal legislative changes or USDA waivers to establish food purchasing limitations as part of their food assistance programs. Katie Bergh from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities highlights that SNAP food restriction attempts have encountered notable obstacles during previous implementation attempts. Six waiver requests were submitted starting in 2004, and the USDA denied four. One requester withdrew their request, while another waiver application remained incomplete. Since 2004, the USDA has consistently rejected these waiver requests because it encountered three key obstacles, along with proof that food purchasing limitations would not lead to improved health results or behaviour changes.
The states of Arkansas and Indiana led an intense discussion about implementing dietary restrictions into food assistance programs. Supporters believe this will benefit diet health, but opponents argue these rules unfairly impact already vulnerable residents.
References: Aleccia J, DeMillo A. Arkansas and Indiana ask USDA to let them ban soda and candy from SNAP. Associated Press. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/560a2a4470d163aa15d2f50cb5d5c6a2Â
