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MAHA: Tennessee To Join States Banning Candy, Sugary Drinks From Food Stamps

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced plans Friday to request federal waivers to reform the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The waivers would cut sugary processed foods and soda from the program and allow SNAP recipients to buy healthier options, such as grilled or rotisserie chicken, according to a press release from the governor.

“Tennessee’s proposed waivers will ensure SNAP fulfills its intended purpose of promoting healthier eating habits, supporting improved health outcomes and reducing chronic conditions for low-income families,” the press release continued.

Specifically, the proposal would exclude food “items listing sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or a similar caloric alternative as the primary (first) ingredient” and “beverages where carbonated water and sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or a similar caloric alternative are the first two ingredients,” the press release added.

“Tennessee is leading the nation in creating innovative solutions to enhance quality of life, and I’m proud to continue our legacy of responsible fiscal stewardship while also delivering nutritious food choices for hard-working families,” Lee said in the press release.“I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for its leadership to Make America Healthy Again, and thank our grocery retailers, convenience stores, food producers, and beverage manufacturers for working to ensure that healthier choices reach every community across our state.”

So far, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has authorized waivers from 12 states banning soda and sugary foods. The states approved to reform SNAP are Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been adamant that U.S. taxpayers should not be forced to pay for unhealthy foods.

“We are spending $405 million a day on SNAP and about 10% is going to sugary drinks, and if you add candies to that, it’s about 13-17%,” Kennedy said Tuesday.

“We all believe in free choice,” Kennedy said. “We live in a democracy — people can make their own choice about what they are going to buy and what they are not going to buy. If you want to buy a sugary soda, you should be able to do that, but the U.S. taxpayer should not pay for it.”

“U.S. taxpayers should not be paying to feed the poorest kids in the country food that will give them diabetes,” Kennedy added.

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