SOME shoppers have found a loophole after a major ban shakeup involving select foods and drinks.
About nine million Americans are affected by the restrictions, with many beloved items kept out of reach.
Some sugary beverages and other sweets are being banned (stock image)[/caption]
According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), about 20 cents of every $1 spent from those who get benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) go toward candy, desserts, or sugary beverages.
As part of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, many states have started adjusting SNAP regulations to encourage healthier decisions.
The goal of SNAP, or food stamps, were always “meant to provide healthy food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being,” according to a statement from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program, the law states it and President Trump’s USDA plans to deliver on it.”
There are 12 states in total restricting beneficiaries from getting processed food and drinks with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards at retailers to that end.
The first six to add provisions were Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah.
This month, six new states were added to the list, including Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.
Exact restrictions differ from state to state, and many don’t go into effect until next year.
LOOPHOLE FOUND
Still, some consumers are already finding a way to get around it.
“I have Indiana SNAP as of January they are implementing the candy and soda ban,” a resident wrote in a post on Reddit.
They explained that, since they live so close to the Kentucky state line, a loophole would be to shop there using SNAP benefits instead to get desired candy, soda, or other sweets.
Another Redditor confirmed that this would work, as EBT cards apply to anything eligible in the state that’s visited.
“The reverse is true too, if someone from Kentucky goes to Indiana after January, their EBT card will not purchase candy and soda even though they are legal in their state,” they emphasized.
Basically, EBT cards will still work over state lines on processed food and drink purchases despite the bans.
What are SNAP benefits?
Over 41 million people in America receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits each month.
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income households to help people get groceries.
Recipients get money on a debit card that can be used at grocery stores and farmers markets.
The amount of money distributed depends on several factors including how much money you make, how much money you receive from other benefits, and how many people are in your household.
The electronic benefits can help people buy food including food and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, and snacks.
You can’t use SNAP to buy alcohol, cigarettes, hot foods, or cooking utensils.
Source: USDA
All 12 of the states implementing the SNAP bans have them for soda and sweetened drinks, but some, like Florida and Lousiana, have expansions that include candy and energy drinks, as noted by Straight Arrow News.
More states could also be on the list soon, as US Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary has 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 said.
WILL IT HELP?
Some experts, like economic policy researcher Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, have claimed that eating patterns are unlikely to change with bans on SNAP sweets purchases, per her 2017 testimony in front of the House Committee on Agriculture.
Schanzenbach also argued it would cost the government serious money to track the 650,000 food and beverage items available at the time and the 20,000 new options added every year.
Consumers are mostly divided on the issue, with some being adamant supporters.
“Good it’s there for nourishing food and drinks, you can’t live on candy bars and pop,” a user commented in a thread on Facebook.
“It’s about time they did this,” another agreed.
Several others felt different, claiming the USDA is overstepping.
“Is this freedom? North Korea also limits what you’re allowed to eat,” someone snapped.
“Yeah well kids deserve treats…this is ridiculous,” a frustrated shopper added.
There are 12 states that have additionally implemented a new law on July 1 that bans a common product used at stores and restaurant chains, with a potential daily fine of $50.
Four states have also expanded a ban this summer involving another common grocery item.
