Summary
Alabama passed a law to ask the federal government for permission to stop SNAP benefits from being used to buy candy and soda. If approved, around 750,000 people on SNAP in Alabama would not be able to use their benefits to buy these sugary items starting October 1.
Key Facts
- SNAP is a federal program that helps low-income people buy food.
- Alabama’s law requires seeking a federal waiver to ban candy and soda purchases with SNAP benefits.
- Candy is defined as foods with sugar or syrup as main ingredients, including chocolate bars and chewing gum.
- Soda includes drinks with carbonated water and sugar as the first two ingredients; diet sodas remain allowed.
- Retailers accepting SNAP for banned items more than three times in a year could face fines.
- The law aims to reduce obesity and lower Medicaid costs in Alabama.
- Critics say banning these purchases may not improve health and could burden low-income families.
- The restrictions would start only if the federal Department of Agriculture approves the waiver.
