""We cannot continue a system that forces taxpayers to fund programs that make people sick and then pay a second time to treat the illnesses those very programs help create," Kennedy said in a statement in December. The efforts are aimed at reducing chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes associated with sweetened drinks and other treats, a key goal of Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again effort."
"But retail industry and health policy experts said state SNAP programs, already under pressure from steep budget cuts, are unprepared for the complex changes, with no complete lists of the foods affected and technical point-of-sale challenges that vary by state and store. And research remains mixed about whether restricting SNAP purchases improves diet quality and health. The National Retail Federation, a trade association, predicted longer checkout lines and more customer complaints as SNAP recipients learn which foods are affected by the new waivers."
Starting Thursday, five states will implement waivers that prohibit SNAP purchases of sodas, candy and other foods deemed unhealthy. The changes are part of a federal push led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to remove such items from the $100 billion program serving 42 million people. The stated goal is to reduce chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes linked to sweetened drinks and treats. Retail groups and health policy experts warn states face technical point-of-sale challenges, unclear product lists and potential longer checkout lines. Research remains mixed on whether purchase restrictions improve diet quality and health.
Read at ABC7 New York
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