Overview

• Arkansas and Indiana have formally submitted waiver requests to the USDA to prohibit the purchase of soda and candy using SNAP benefits, with Ohio expected to follow suit.
• The proposed changes align with the 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, backed by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders emphasized the health benefits of removing processed and sugary items from SNAP, citing the state's high rates of diabetes and chronic disease.
• Critics, including anti-hunger organizations and trade groups, argue that such restrictions stigmatize low-income populations and lack evidence of meaningful health improvements.
• The USDA has pledged to expedite the waiver review process, with public comment periods and implementation planning underway.