Arkansas and Indiana Seek to Prohibit Candy and Soda Purchases with SNAP Benefits

Governors of Arkansas and Indiana have formally requested federal approval to implement restrictions on the purchase of candy and soda using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This initiative is aimed at promoting healthier food choices among the low-income populations benefiting from the program.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders emphasized the importance of improving public health for the approximately 350,000 residents in her state who rely on SNAP. During a recent press conference with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, she stated that taxpayer dollars are supporting unhealthy habits, thereby straining public health resources.

Similarly, Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced his state's plan to refocus SNAP on nutritional food options rather than sugary snacks and beverages. Braun made his remarks alongside U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who currently leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The proposed changes in Indiana include additional work requirements for SNAP recipients and a review of income verification processes.

If the federal government approves Arkansas's proposal, the new restrictions would take effect in July 2026. Under this plan, SNAP benefits would not be applicable for the following items:

• Regular, low-calorie, and no-calorie sodas
• Fruit and vegetable drinks containing less than 50% juice
• Candy with artificial sweeteners
• Candy made with flour, such as Kit Kat bars

Interestingly, the proposal would permit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot rotisserie chicken, which is currently prohibited.

Indiana's initiative also targets similar items, with Braun specifying the need for stringent measures to ensure that SNAP is utilized for healthier food choices. He has proposed additional work requirements and has called for an assessment of potential errors in SNAP payments.

In 2024, SNAP assisted nearly 42 million Americans at a cost of approximately $100 billion. While the program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it is managed at the state level. SNAP benefits can typically be used to purchase a wide variety of food items, although items such as alcohol, tobacco, and prepared meals are excluded.

Since 2004, six other states have sought federal waivers to impose similar restrictions on SNAP food purchases, but none of these requests have been granted. Experts suggest that any changes to allow these restrictions would necessitate alterations to existing federal laws.

Critics of the proposed changes, including anti-hunger advocates, argue that these measures unjustly target low-income families. Gina Plata-Nino, a deputy director at the Food Research and Action Center, voiced concerns about the lack of data supporting the notion that low-income families are primarily responsible for health issues related to food choices.

Industry representatives have also criticized the proposals. The American Beverage Association and the National Confectioners Association argued that candy and soda are not intended to replace nutritious meals but are instead considered treats. A spokesperson from the National Confectioners Association remarked that SNAP participants, as well as non-participants, recognize the difference between treats and essential nutrition.

As discussions continue, the outcomes of these proposals may significantly impact food assistance programs and the dietary choices available to millions of Americans.