Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing for changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would prevent users from purchasing sugary drinks with government benefits. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address dietary concerns among SNAP recipients.
According to Breitbart, Kennedy stated that while he believes in freedom of choice, American taxpayers should not subsidize purchases that contribute to poor health outcomes among the nation's most vulnerable populations.
Kennedy made these comments while joining FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to announce the signing of six new SNAP state waivers. These waivers will modify the definition of eligible food purchases and end the subsidization of certain junk foods beginning in 2026.
Kennedy pointed out that approximately $405 million is spent daily on SNAP benefits, with about 10 percent going toward sugary drinks. When candy purchases are included, the figure rises to between 13 and 17 percent of total SNAP expenditures.
"We all believe in free choice, we live in a democracy, people can make their own choice about what they're going to buy and what they're not going to buy," Kennedy explained during Monday's announcement. He emphasized that while individuals should have the right to purchase sugary sodas, taxpayers shouldn't fund these choices.
The HHS Secretary further expressed concern about the government subsidizing foods that contribute to diabetes among vulnerable children, only to later pay for treating these conditions through Medicaid and Medicare programs. Kennedy indicated his determination to end this cycle "step by step, state by state."
Six states have signed the newly announced SNAP waivers: West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. These states join Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah, which had previously implemented similar measures.
The state waivers will amend the statutory definition of food eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. This change aims to reduce government subsidization of unhealthy food options that health officials believe contribute to chronic disease.
Kennedy and Rollins also mentioned they are working together on revising dietary guidelines. Kennedy criticized the guidelines inherited from the Biden administration as being 453 pages long and "driven by the same commercial impulses that put Froot Loops at the top of the food pyramid."
The HHS Secretary promised to release simplified dietary guidelines that will be just four to six pages long. He emphasized that these new guidelines would be comprehensible and straightforward, allowing people to make informed choices about their nutrition.
During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy spoke about reversing "the chronic disease epidemic" in the nation. He specifically mentioned the need to address federal funding of food programs that contribute to health problems.
Kennedy noted that the government "shouldn't be spending 10 percent of the SNAP program on sugar drinks" and expressed concern about serving processed food to schoolchildren through federal lunch programs.
Kennedy has previously clarified that his intention is not to "take food away from anybody." Instead, he aims to increase awareness about the health impacts of certain food choices while ensuring taxpayer dollars support healthier options.
The Secretary emphasized that individuals should still have access to fast food or processed snacks if they choose, but they should be aware of how these items affect their health. The focus is on ensuring government assistance programs promote better health outcomes.
The policy change represents a significant shift in how the federal government approaches nutrition assistance programs. By limiting certain purchases, the administration hopes to address chronic health issues while still providing essential food support to those in need.
