Five states to begin blocking soda and candy from SNAP benefits

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00:00Starting tomorrow, millions of Americans who rely on food assistance will face new limits

00:07on what they can buy at the grocery store, including soda or pop, candy, and other sweetened

00:13foods. Five states, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia, are the first to roll out new

00:19SNAP restrictions after getting federal waivers approved. It's part of a broader push by the

00:25Trump administration, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to steer food stamp dollars

00:31away from what officials call unhealthy choices. Supporters say the goal is simple, reduce obesity,

00:37diabetes, and other chronic diseases by cutting off taxpayer-funded junk food. But critics warn the

00:43rollout could be messy and confusing, especially at checkout lines. Retail groups say stores are not

00:49fully prepared, and nutrition experts argue the evidence is mixed on whether these kinds of bans

00:54actually change eating habits. The rules vary by state. Some block soda and energy drinks,

01:00others add candy, and in Iowa, even certain prepared foods. Altogether, about 1.4 million

01:07SNAP recipients are affected starting January 1st.