Louisiana Lawmakers Considering Ban on Using SNAP Benefits to Buy Soft Drinks

BATON ROUGE, La. (KPEL-FM) - If you are a resident of Louisiana who receives SNAP benefits, you may not be able to buy soft drinks using that money soon.

Who sponsored the bill to prohibit the purchase of soft drinks using SNAP benefits?

A state Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Patrick McMatch (R-Covington) would prohibit SNAP recipients from purchasing soda with food stamps.

The bill was prefiled back on March 18 and has been referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.

Support for State Senate Bill 14

The proposal has reportedly gained decent traction and support from high-ranking state officials, including Gov. Jeff Landry and Sen. Blake Miguez (R-New Iberia).

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"I just don’t think that tax dollars should be spent on things that are going to hurt our children,” Miguez said. "It’s about trying to take us from being one of the worst health outcomes in the country to one of the more positive health outcomes in the country."

Following the lead of other states...

Louisiana is not the first state to have this idea. At least 20 other states have either explored or put in place similar restrictions. However, federal law currently limits how states can restrict SNAP purchases.

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Critics of the proposed bill to prohibit soda purchases with SNAP benefits

On the flip side, critics of the bill are saying that government should not decide how families feed their children, even when public dollars are involved.

“So, I understand the initiative to want to ensure that people are getting healthy and nutritious foods. Food is a substance that people use way beyond nutrition, and I think it’s crazy that the government wants to police what people buy,” community advocate Tia Mills said.

A long way to go for this bill to be passed

The bill has a ways to go, though, before being signed into law. It must go through the full legislative process before doing so.

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