Texas Considers Ban on Junk Food, Sugared Beverages for SNAP
The legislation would prohibit recipients from purchasing candy, energy drinks and soda with food stamps.
May 03, 2019
AUSTIN – Some Texas lawmakers want to restrict what SNAP recipients can buy with their food stamps, the Washington Post reports. Sponsored by state Rep. Briscoe Cain, the bill—now in the House Committee for Human Services—would prohibit the purchase of energy drinks, soda and candy through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The proposal “seeks to curb the spread of diabetes and other health complications among Texas in at-risk populations by eliminating sugary drinks and snacks from the state's nutrition assistance program,” Cain said in The Hill. “At-risk Texans and families who utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are often the most susceptible to diabetes and the serious complications associated with it.”
The legislation would restrict SNAP recipients from buying energy drinks, carbonated beverages, candy, cookies, potato and corn chips, sweetened beverages with artificial sweeteners and other junk foods. The bill would specifically allow for fruit and vegetable juices “to which no sugar has been added,” coffee and “any substantially coffee-based” drinks.
“HB 4364 seeks to curb the spread of diabetes and other health complications among Texans in at-risk populations by eliminating sugary drinks and snacks from the state’s nutrition assistance program,” he said. If approved, the new law would go into effect Sept. 1.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in 2016 that around 10% of SNAP food dollars were spent on sugary beverages. In comparison, non-SNAP households shelled out 7% of food dollars on sugary drinks.
Other states have unsuccessfully tried to ban particular foods under SNAP, including Florida in 2012 and New York City in 2011.
