TWO US states are set to join the new grocery store “ban” law that will completely upend how Americans shop.
The rule is causing controversy among consumers, and it directly impacts those with lower incomes.
People on SNAP will no longer be able to buy sugary drinks[/caption]
It restricts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries from getting processed food and drinks at retailers, per The Hill.
Earlier this year, Trump announced 12 states had joined in the new law, including Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.
Missouri and Ohio have now been added to the list as they revealed plans to ban SNAP recipients from buying sugary drinks with their funds.
Finance head Brian Stewart said: “I don’t think we should have a policy in this state where we are essentially subsidizing diabetes in children by buying pop with food stamps.”
The ban is likely to affect drinks that list sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric sweeteners as the primary ingredient or as the second ingredient.
Meanwhile, Republican Governor Mike Kehoe said in a statement his aim with the waiver is to “prioritise” healthy foods and “discourage” foods that are high in sugar.
NATIONWIDE ROLLOUT?
US Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary has also said he “hopes 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,” Makary argued.
Even with the bans, some researchers have argued that restrictions on SNAP benefits are not likely to change eating patterns.
Schanzenbach also argued that it would cost the government some serious money to track the 650,000 food and beverage items currently available and 20,000 new options introduced every year.
MIXED FEELINGS
News of the bans has also garnered a mixed response from shoppers.
“Good it’s there for nourishing foods and drinks, you can’t live on candy bars and pop,” a consumer argued in a Facebook thread.
“It’s about time they did this,” another echoed.
Others blasted the SNAP restrictions as a major overstep from the USDA.
“Is this freedom? North Korea also limits what you’re allowed to eat,” a shopper commented.
“Yeah well kids deserve treats…ridiculous,” someone else added.
“So children don’t deserve snacks or a birthday cake? How insensitive. They act like that’s all that’s bought with SNAP,” wrote a third.
A fuming shopper also claimed it would be like “sucking the fun out of life” for SNAP recipients.
At least four states have also expanded laws banning another common grocery item this summer.
Twelve states also implemented a new law on July 1 that bans a common product at restaurant chains and stores, with violators facing a $50 daily fine.
