Millions of Americans who use food stamps to purchase groceries may soon face new restrictions on what they can buy, as lawmakers in states like Arkansas and Indiana push forward with controversial proposals to limit junk food purchases through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The plan would prevent SNAP participants from using their benefits to buy sugary snacks, candy, diet sodas, and fruit drinks with low natural juice content. Supporters of the measure argue that it’s a step toward improving the health of low-income Americans and reducing the long-term cost of healthcare related to poor nutrition.
With SNAP costing the U.S. government approximately $100 billion annually and serving around 41 million people, policymakers are considering whether cutting out sugar-laden products could help promote healthier eating habits.
Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is backing the effort as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, aimed at addressing chronic health issues by targeting their root causes. According to Kennedy, the current guidelines allow for purchases that contribute to nationwide health problems. “We can’t have a strong nation without strong people,” he said.
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In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has voiced her support, arguing that the state is “subsidizing poor health” by covering the cost of unhealthy diets both in healthcare and welfare spending. Meanwhile, Indiana Governor Mike Braun says it’s time to “focus on nutrition, not candy and soft drinks.”
Under Arkansas’s proposed changes, which could go into effect in July 2026, SNAP recipients would no longer be able to buy soda, candies (including flour-based sweets like Kit Kat bars), or drinks with less than 50% real juice. The ban would also apply to artificially sweetened treats and other products labeled “unhealthy.”
Indiana is taking a similar approach, though its current plan is slightly less restrictive than Arkansas’s. The state is also exploring changes to work requirements for SNAP users.
In exchange for limiting access to sugary products, Arkansas plans to expand SNAP-eligible items to include healthier options—like rotisserie chicken—which are currently excluded.
Medical experts have weighed in, noting that many low-income individuals rely heavily on processed foods due to cost and accessibility. “I’ve worked with adults who’ve never eaten vegetables regularly,” said Dr. Borho, a clinical dietitian at Indiana University Health, emphasizing the importance of dietary education alongside policy reform.
SNAP, managed by the USDA, is designed to help low-income households afford groceries. Benefits are distributed via electronic debit cards and can be used for a variety of items, including produce, dairy, meat, and cereals. However, items like alcohol, cigarettes, and hot prepared foods are already excluded.
If these new proposals are approved, they could mark a major shift in how the government addresses nutrition through public assistance programs, with a renewed emphasis on promoting long-term health.
