Overview

• West Virginia became the first state to formally request a federal waiver to prohibit soda purchases under SNAP benefits, aligning with the 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative.
• Governor Patrick Morrisey signed legislation banning seven food dyes, effective August for school lunches and expanding to all state food products by 2028.
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged other governors to follow West Virginia's lead, emphasizing the need to eliminate taxpayer-funded soda subsidies for healthier public nutrition.
• Critics argue these measures overlook systemic challenges like food affordability, access in food deserts, and the stigmatization of low-income communities.
• The Trump administration, through Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, expressed support for granting waivers, signaling potential for broader implementation across states.