Polis becomes the first Democratic governor to obtain USDA approval for Snap Soda restrictions

The governor of Colorado has signed a controversial element of the doubtful agenda of President Donald Trump “Make America Healthy Again”, becoming the first Democratic Governor of the country to obtain federal approval to prohibit beneficiaries of food assistance from using their advantages to buy sodas and other sugary drinks. The ban should start in 2026.

The republican party – that is to say the party which once demonized the first lady Michelle Obama for having discouraging the consumption of sugary drinks – has now directed a movement targeting the additional beneficiaries of the nutrition aid program that buy them.

Several states led by the GOP have requested – and received – derogations from the agriculture service allowing them to restrict SNAP beneficiaries to buy certain foods and drinks. And the governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, announced on Monday that he joined them.

In a press release, the Democrat described the federal approval to restrict the consumption of soda and sugary drinks “a big step towards improving the health of coloradans and the reduction of obesity, diabetes and dental caries”.

Polis’ statement has mainly echoed one made by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose appointment to lead the Ministry of Health and Social Services was supported by Polis. According to the press release, Colorado has requests awaiting federal approval to extend the capacity of SNAP beneficiaries to buy food products from producer markets and hot prepared food in grocery stores.

A recent NPR report has enlightened the way in which Snap beneficiaries are concerned about the way they feed themselves or their families when faced with the potential of fewer advantages and less purchase options. And although it can be easy for some people – from various political persuasions – to dismiss disturbing paternalism in all of this and to assume that cutting certain Americans to certain foods is a good policy, the experts have sown the idea for years.

For example, when the expert in public policy Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach testified at the congress in 2017 on Snap restrictions on sodas and sugary drinks, she provided data to safeguard her point of view that such a prohibition would be “difficult to structure in practice, will be targeted ineffective, and in many cases – as a proposed ban on the purchase of drinks Sweet – will be tirelessly to modify reasons of advice. ”