Starting Thursday, people in five U.S. states will face new limits on what they can buy with SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia are the first to implement these changes, which restrict purchases of items like soda and candy.
This move is part of a larger effort by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to encourage states to remove unhealthy foods from the program that benefits around 42 million Americans. Kennedy has stated that funding unhealthy food only leads to further health issues, which costs taxpayers more in the end.
The aim here is to combat chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, which are linked to sugary drinks and snacks. However, experts from the retail industry have raised concerns about the challenges these new rules may pose. For instance, there is no complete list of the restricted foods, which could lead to confusion at checkout lines.
Kate Bauer, a nutrition expert from the University of Michigan, warned this could create “a disaster” at grocery stores. A report by the National Grocers Association suggests retailers may initially see around $1.6 billion in costs due to these changes, with ongoing yearly expenses approaching $759 million.
Critics argue these measures may worsen the stigma already faced by SNAP recipients. Some users worry about navigating rising grocery costs and complex regulations. Marc Craig, a SNAP recipient, highlighted how these changes can make it harder for people in need to use their benefits, increasing feelings of alienation in public spaces.
Historically, the SNAP program has allowed participants to buy a wide range of foods, with only a few exclusions like alcohol. However, recent trends show a push for more restrictions. In the past, efforts to limit specific items were typically blocked because of research indicating that such restrictions could be complicated and may not significantly change consumer habits or health outcomes.
Health experts are skeptical that these new limits will address the real issues facing SNAP users. Anand Parekh from the University of Michigan pointed out that the fundamental problem is that healthy food is often too expensive, while unhealthy options remain cheap and easily accessible.
As of now, these new rules affect about 1.4 million people and will be in place for two years, with a possible extension for another three. Each state must evaluate the impact of these changes, but many worry that the focus on specific food items overlooks deeper systemic issues in food access and public health.
For more on SNAP and its impact, you can view the full report from the National Grocers Association.
