(The Center Square) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins signed three waivers on Tuesday for Arkansas, Idaho and Utah food stamp programs, preventing “sugary drinks” such as sodas and energy drinks from being included in the federally funded food program.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is funded by the federal government and administered by the states, helps low-income individuals and families buy food.
“Today is a great day for American taxpayers, and for the people of Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho and Utah,” Rollins said.
Rollins was joined by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind., at the signing event.
Kennedy and Rollins said the inclusion of sugary drinks in the federally funded program is a waste of taxpayer dollars and is linked to dire health outcomes for people using SNAP.
“This is money that is poisoning a generation, the poorest kids in our country, and we pay a high price for that in the explosion of chronic disease,” Kennedy said.
“Taxpayer dollars should not be funding these injuries to our children,” Kennedy continued. “We pay for it through the SNAP program and we pay for it later on with diabetes and obesity,” Kennedy added.
Rollins said the USDA is working on “technical assistance” to expand waivers in Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana and West Virginia.
“I continue to encourage states to be our laboratories of innovation just as our founding fathers envisioned 249 years ago. Thinking how they can promote healthy families and healthy communities together and in partnership with us in Washington,” Rollins said.
Rollins and Kennedy also said they are developing new dietary guidelines for Americans and are “way ahead of the current deadline.”
“The nutrition advice through those dietary guidelines must be sound, simple and clear. These guidelines will prioritize whole, healthy and nutritious foods such as dairy, fruits, vegetables and meats and recommend limitations on unhealthy foods,” Rollins said.
Kennedy and Rollins praised the partnership between the USDA and HHS as they continue to develop dietary guidelines for Americans.
“Our current health outcomes, especially for our children, are unsustainable and American agriculture is at the heart of the solution,” Rollins said.
Rollins previously signed a waiver banning soda and energy drinks from SNAP inclusion in Nebraska, Indiana and Iowa which is set to take place on Jan. 1, 2026, the Center Square previously reported. The previous restrictions drew praise from groups like the American Heart Association and criticism from groups like the American Beverage Association.
The U.S. government spent $112.8 billion on SNAP in 2023, covering 100% of the cost of food benefits and 50% of states’ administrative costs.
