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4w ago

West Virginia Leads Effort to Ban Soda Purchases with SNAP Benefits

Governor Morrisey submits waiver to USDA and enacts food dye bans, aligning with RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears for his swearing in ceremony in Washington, D.C. on February 13, 2025.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, on the day he is sworn in as secretary of Health and Human Service in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
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Overview

  • West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has submitted a waiver to the USDA to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing soda, marking a significant public health initiative.
  • The USDA has pledged to review the waiver and provide technical assistance to support its implementation, signaling federal engagement with the proposal.
  • Legislation banning food dyes and preservatives in West Virginia schools will take effect in August 2025, with a broader ban on general sales by 2028.
  • Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is urging other governors to adopt similar measures, with ten states reportedly considering related restrictions.
  • Critics argue these policies fail to address systemic issues like food deserts and the affordability of healthier food options, raising concerns about equitable access to nutrition.