THREE more US States are set to ban popular snacks and sodas for millions in another junk food crackdown.
They join a growing list of primarily Republican states to make the decision, which has been dubbed an “epidemic” by lawmakers.
Three more US States are set to ban popular snacks and sodas for millions in another junk food crackdown[/caption]
The US Sun recently reported on the state of Texas, which has received the green light to ban junk food purchases.
The new bill is aimed at encouraging healthier food choices by restricting what lower-income families can spend their federal benefits on.
The ban encompasses a range of products from sugary drinks to pre-packaged candy and chips.
For drinks, anything non-alcoholic beverages made with water that five or more grams of added sugar in them, or any amount of artificial sweetener.
It is important to note that fruit juices and milk-based drinks are not included in the restrictions.
The change comes as Republican legislators try to change the unhealthy eating habits of Americans.
The US Sun reported on the push from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take synthetic food dyes out of US food.
In a press release, he said: “For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent.
“These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end.”
Speaking on the waivers, Kennedy advised all state governors to seek them “to eliminate sugary drinks—taxpayer dollars should never bankroll products that fuel the chronic disease epidemic.”
NEW STATES
Now, Arkansas, Idaho and Utah are lining up to join Texas in the junk food limits.
The three states have received waivers to amend the statutory definition of eligible food under the benefit program.
Prior to the waivers, those receiving federal benefits could not spend the money on things like alcohol and tobacco, and hot and prepared foods.
The waivers in Utah and Idaho will take effect on January 1, 2026 and those in Arkansas have until July 1, 2026.
Other states that have received waivers include Nebraska and Iowa, both of which take effect also on January 1, 2026.
In Nebraska, only soda and energy drinks will be excluded, but in Iowa, it includes sweetened beverages, snacks and candy.
Nebraska and Iowa both received the waivers back in May.
Concerns have bene raised that all of this could cause confusion among benefits recipients.
The president of The Food Industry Association (FMI) said that chaos must be avoided.
FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin said: “While pilots and waivers may have an important role, it is critical not to create chaos and confusion both in individual stores and through a jumbled mixture of varying state requirements – creating new program inefficiencies, longer grocery store lines and customer frustration.”
The Natural Grocers Association (NGA) has also called for clarity wherever possible.
Earlier this year in a statement, the NGA said that the “impacts of all waivers should also be thoroughly evaluated during and after implementation to determine whether their goals are being met without negatively affecting access to nutritious food.”
Arkansas, Idaho and Utah are lining up to join Texas in the junk food limits[/caption]
