Gold prices steady above $3,400/oz on rate cut bets; PCE data awaited
Investing.com -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding restrictions on what can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to six additional states, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Monday.
Florida, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Colorado will join states like Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah in prohibiting SNAP recipients from using their benefits to purchase soda, candy, and other junk foods.
"Since my confirmation, our department has encouraged states to think differently and creatively about how to solve the many health issues facing Americans. One way is by not allowing taxpayer-funded benefits to be used to purchase unhealthy items like soda, candy, and other junk food," Rollins said.
Rollins noted that sugary drinks are currently the top purchase made by SNAP recipients. She emphasized that the program’s stated purpose is to help families supplement their grocery budgets to afford nutritious food essential for health and well-being.
The Agriculture Secretary also mentioned that waivers had already been signed for Iowa and Indiana, among other states. She encouraged more states to become "laboratories of innovation" in promoting healthy families and communities.
The SNAP restrictions are part of a broader effort between the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to improve nutrition. This initiative also includes encouraging voluntary commitments from food manufacturers to remove artificial food dyes from products and developing dietary guidelines that prioritize whole, healthy, and nutritious foods.
The development could have negative ramifications for soda makers, including Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) and Pepsi, and candy makers like Hershey’s and Mondelez (NASDAQ:MDLZ).
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.