Report: New legislation in Idaho could ban SNAP from covering soda and candy

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — As first reported by the Idaho Capital Sun, a bill that would ban SNAP from covering candy and soda is headed to Governor Little's desk.

House Bill 109 requires the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to seek federal approval to ban soda and candy from the food assistance program known as SNAP, or the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

IDHW reports that nearly 132,000 Idahoans receive SNAP benefits, which average $177 monthly. Proponents of the legislation say that the bill is in keeping with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stated mission to Make America Healthy Again.

Opponents of the legislation say that it could cause grocery stores to stop accepting SNAP altogether, and the definitions of candy and soda are overly broad, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun. The bill now awaits Governor Little's decision, but that isn't the only roadblock. The USDA will have to sign off on Idaho's ban waiver, since SNAP is a federal program.

Idaho isn't likely to be alone in asking for the ban. Stateline reports that Arizona, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming have introduced similar legislation.