Are Michigan SNAP Benefit Users About to Lose ‘Junk Food’ Benefits?

It's been tried before but there's a new push to ban sugary drinks and junk food items from SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Approximately 42 million Americans use SNAP benefits, commonly referred to as Food Stamps.

In Michigan, nearly 1.5 million low-income people rely on the program in order to provide food for their families. That figure represents approximately 15% of the state's population. Those who qualify for the program receive Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards which are loaded with money that can be used to buy food at grocery stores and in some cases, restaurants.

A Push to Ban Grocery Items Deemed 'Unhealthy'

While past efforts to ban sugary drinks, candy, and junk food items have failed, the idea is getting renewed attention from the Trump administration.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was recently confirmed as the Health and Human Services Secretary, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have both indicated that they hope to clean up the program, stripping Americans' ability to use the program for treats that can be deemed unhealthy.

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"The one place that I would say that we need to really change policy is the SNAP program and food stamps and in-school lunches," Kennedy told Fox News host Laura Ingraham via Newsweek. "There, the federal government in many cases is paying for it. And we shouldn’t be subsidizing people to eat poison."

Easier Said Than Done

While Kennedy has been vocal on the topic, he may have difficulty making changes to the program.

The SNAP benefits program is run by the USDA, not the Health and Human Services Department. Michigan and other states take the lead in administering the program which is authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. SNAP benefits can legally be used for "any food or food product intended for human consumption" except for alcohol, tobacco, and hot foods.

According to PBS, several states have bills pending that would restrict certain foods from being covered by SNAP, but excluding food and food categories would require Congress to change the law or for states to get waivers.

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