Alabama lawmaker Rep. Mack Butler has introduced a bill, HB579, that aims to ban the purchase of soda using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The legislation would require the Department of Human Resources to request an annual waiver from the federal government to exclude soda from SNAP until the waiver is granted. Once approved, the ban would take effect.
The bill defines soda as a carbonated beverage with more than one gram of added sugar or any artificial sweetener. Butler’s office has not yet commented on the legislation, but the move follows similar efforts in other Republican-led states to restrict soda and candy purchases under SNAP.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently submitted a waiver to ban soda and candy purchases under SNAP, a move welcomed by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins as part of the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. However, critics argue that focusing on restricting purchases is not as effective as making healthier foods more affordable and accessible.
Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, suggests that promoting healthier eating habits should involve increasing access to nutritious foods rather than restricting purchases. Marion Nestle, a professor at NYU, believes that the motivation behind these efforts is more about cutting SNAP benefits than promoting health.
If Butler’s bill is signed into law, it would go into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. The debate over restricting soda purchases through SNAP continues to stir controversy and discussions on the best way to promote healthy eating habits among recipients.
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