Soda and energy drinks will soon be off-limits to certain Americans as officials clamp down on what people can buy with food stamps.
Around 150,000 low-income Nebraska residents will be barred from buying the goods under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The first-of-its-kind ban will become effective starting January 1, 2026 and last for at least two years.
At least five other Republican states are in talks to roll out similar measures.
Additional details about the Nebraska ban have yet to be revealed by state officials, but Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen said in a statement: ‘There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks.
‘SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver.’
Serving nearly 42 million Americans, SNAP helps low-income families purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, snacks and plants.
It is run by the USDA and administered through individual states. In general, benefits are available to people with an income at or below about $33,500 a year for three people in a household.
The state of Nebraska has banned the sale of soda and energy drinks to low-income Americans using food stamps
Over the past two decades, lawmakers in several states have proposed halting SNAP payments for soda, chips, ice cream and ‘luxury meats’ like steak, as well as bottled water and decorated birthday cakes.
However, despite multiple waivers being submitted, no other presidential administration, including President Donald Trump’s first, has approved them in the past.
In a letter addressed to Secretary Rollins, Pillen wrote: ‘According to United States Department of Agriculture, the most common purchase with SNAP is soft drinks or soda.
‘Also of concern are energy drinks, which contain caffeine or other similar compounds, sweeteners…
‘Studies indicate the negative effects of caffeine are elevated in children and youth, including increases in stress, anxiety, agitation, sleep disturbance, and high blood pressure, often leading to difficulties in learning and academic performance.’
According to the USDA website, food stamps users spend over $600million a year on sweetened beverages including soft drinks and energy drinks.
A 2024 scientific review published in the journal Public Health by British researchers found that energy drinks can raise the risk of physical and mental health problems among children.
Kids who consume the beverages, which can contain more caffeine than a cup of coffee, are more likely to be overweight and develop heart problems. They also face a higher chance of getting mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and suicide attempts.
Pillen’s letter continued: ‘Nebraska believes promoting nutritious foods will improve health and reduce the prevalence of chronic disease.
‘Ensuring Nebraska children have the advantage of a healthy diet supports brain development and prepares them for success throughout their lives.
‘To improve the health of families in Nebraska, on behalf of the State, I wish to notify you of Nebraska’s intent to pursue a SNAP Waiver from the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service that removes soda and energy drinks from SNAP allowable purchases.’
Since Nebraska’s decision, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa and West Virginia have also submitted requests for waivers banning certain foods and drinks or, in some cases, expanding access to hot foods for participants, according to the USDA.
The ban comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr continues to push for restricting junk food from the $100billion-a-year federal SNAP program since his nomination.
The leader of the Make America Healthy Again movement has repeatedly called soda ‘poison’ and claimed it can cause damage to human health – a notion also voiced by Pillen.
RFK Jr. has repeatedly called soda ‘poison’ and claimed that it can cause damage to human health – a notion also voiced by Gov. Pillen
Kennedy has also previously suggested Americans who eat doughnuts, guzzle sodas or smoke should not be provided with free healthcare.
‘If you’re smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, should you expect society to pay when you get sick?,’ he told CBS.
The nation’s top health official noted it is the American people’s choice to ‘eat doughnuts all day’ and he would not to take it away.
However, he went on to say doughnut and soda lovers cannot expect ‘society to care for them’ since there is possibility for them to get ‘very sick’.
His claims have long put him at odds with President Trump as the latter is known to enjoy multiple sodas per day, albeit the sugar-free versions.
Shortly after being sworn-in for the second time, President Trump also re-installed a bright red button on his desk in the Oval Office to notify an aide that the commander-in-chief wants a fresh Diet Coke.
The 78-year-old reportedly drinks multiple cans of Diet Coke a day and is known to indulge in an occasional burger and fries for his meals.
The health official is yet to make a comment on Nebraska’s newly announced ban.
