Soda and Red Bull off SNAP list in Virginia
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Virginia agreed this week to ban the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for sweetened carbonated beverages under a new deal with the Trump administration.
Why it matters: Starting in April, more than 850,000 Virginians will no longer be able to use their benefits to buy a liter of Mountain Dew, a 6-pack of Diet Coke or Red Bull at the checkout.
The big picture: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined his "Make America Healthy Again" campaign in the spring, encouraging states to restrict SNAP purchases to ensure taxpayer dollars go toward "wholesome foods."
- One study found little difference between purchases made by households with SNAP and those without benefits, with 20 cents of every dollar spent on sweetened beverages, desserts, candy and sugar.
- Twelve states, including Florida and Louisiana, had previously signed on to exclude junk food and soda, and six more, including Virginia, joined them this week.
- Mehmet Oz, who runs Medicare and Medicaid, said states that ban junk food will get extra funds.
Which foods are excluded varies by state. Some, like Florida, won't allow SNAP to be used for candy, prepared desserts, soda or energy drinks.
Zoom in: Virginia's only applies to "sweetened beverages" made with carbonated water and sweetened with added sugar or artificial sweeteners, according to the state's food restriction waiver.
- That includes "soda, diet/zero soda pop, soft drinks and energy drinks."
- It does not include plain carbonated water or "any beverage that contains less than five grams of added sugar."
Also not included, per the waiver: "Non-carbonated beverages (even if heavily sweetened)."
Of note: Virginia must make a communication plans for retailers and SNAP recipients before the changes go into effect, 13NewsNow reports.
How it works: SNAP, often called food stamps, helps low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities buy groceries.
- Before these changes, SNAP recipients were already prohibited from using their benefits to purchase alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods and personal care items, according to a press release.
What's next: The no-soda-with-SNAP change goes into effect April 1.