Idaho is planning to stop people from buying candy and soda with food stamps, also called SNAP benefits. This is part of a new effort to encourage healthier eating among people who get government help to buy food. Other states might do the same soon.
What is Happening in Idaho?
Last month, Idaho’s Governor Brad Little signed a law called House Bill 109. This law lets the state ask the federal government to approve a rule that would stop SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy candy and soda. If approved, about 130,900 people in Idaho who use food stamps will be affected.
This change is part of a bigger plan called “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA), led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The goal is to improve nutrition and encourage exercise to help people stay healthier.
Other States Joining the Move
Four states—Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Indiana—already got approval to start similar bans. They will begin this in the next few weeks as part of a two-year trial. Other states, including Texas and West Virginia, are also applying for this ban.
The Department of Agriculture wants to stop junk food and sugary drinks from being bought with food stamps. This is a new effort that both Republican and Democratic governments have not done before.
Why the Ban is Being Supported
Around 42 million Americans get food stamps, including many children. The federal government spends about $115 billion on SNAP every year. Some health-related items, like alcohol and tobacco, have never been allowed to be bought with SNAP.
Supporters say the ban will help low-income families choose healthier foods, which is what SNAP was created for. For example, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders said nearly 23% of SNAP spending is on soda, candy, and unhealthy snacks.
Opposition to the Ban
Not everyone agrees with this plan. Some critics say it unfairly targets poor people and takes away their freedom to choose what to eat. They point out that healthy food is often more expensive and harder to find in poor neighborhoods.
Valerie Imbruce, an expert on food and society, said this ban is “paternalistic,” meaning it treats poor people like they can’t make good decisions. Others, like Chris Gindlesperger from the candy industry, said it’s unfair to ban candy since it is just a small part of purchases and is seen as a treat.
There is also concern about the broad definition of “candy” in the law, which includes some granola and energy bars, making the rules confusing.
What’s Next?
The ban is expected to start on July 1 in Idaho if the federal government approves it. The Agriculture Department’s Secretary Brooke Rollins said she will approve all requests to ban junk food from SNAP.
Even if the federal government rejects Idaho’s request, the state plans to keep applying every year until it is approved.
Idaho’s new law to ban candy and soda purchases with food stamps is part of a larger plan to promote healthier eating. While supporters believe this will improve nutrition for low-income families, critics say it limits choice and does not solve the real problems of food access and affordability. The coming months will show how many other states follow Idaho’s lead and how this affects millions of SNAP users.
