A Texas congressman introduced a bill to ban sugary soda for SNAP recipients
WASHINGTON D.C. — A Texas Republican congressman has introduced a bill aimed at banning the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds for purchasing sugary sodas. The bill, known as the Funding is Zero for Zero Nutrition Options (FIZZ-NO) Act, seeks to improve public health and reduce taxpayer expenses, according to Rep. Keith Self (R-TX).
“SNAP was created to help low-income Americans access nutritious food,” Self said in a press release. “It’s counterproductive to let taxpayer dollars subsidize sugary sodas that offer no nutritional value and contribute to expensive health issues. The FIZZ-NO Act is a common-sense approach to both improve public health and ease the financial burden on taxpayers.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around 40% of adults and 19% of children in the U.S. are obese. Consuming sugary drinks is directly linked to a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, which, according to Self’s office, contribute to $190 billion in annual healthcare costs—primarily through taxpayer-funded Medicaid.
If passed, the bill would take effect 180 days after becoming law.
In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported an average of 42.1 million people using SNAP each month. Federal spending on SNAP totaled $112.8 billion, with an average benefit of $211.93 per person per month.
The percentage of U.S. residents receiving SNAP benefits in FY 2023 was 12.6%, with rates varying by state from a high of 23.1% to a low of 4.6%.
In response, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement:
“This proposal seeks to restrict the freedom of hardworking Americans—and our veterans—to choose foods that best meet their families’ needs. Limiting SNAP purchases won’t make Americans healthier or save taxpayers money. Instead, it would create a two-tiered system where diet choices depend on income. This goes against the principles of individual freedom that America stands for. The reality is that soda is not the driving factor behind obesity in this country. While adult obesity has increased by 37.4% since 2000, beverage calories per serving have dropped by 42%. This is thanks to innovation in the beverage industry, offering more options with less sugar and clearer labeling, allowing Americans to make informed choices. In fact, nearly 60% of beverages purchased today contain zero sugar. We look forward to collaborating with Congress, USDA Secretary-Designee Rollins, and the Trump administration to strengthen SNAP.”