RFK Jr. Pushes to Remove Sugary Drinks from SNAP as Coke and Pepsi Fight Back

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has proposed a controversial plan to improve public health by banning sugary drinks from being purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps. His initiative aims to combat obesity and diabetes by encouraging healthier food choices, a stance that has drawn significant opposition from beverage giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Democratizemedia / Mike Mozart / Wikimedia

Kennedy's proposal aligns with his broader “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, which seeks to reduce reliance on weight-loss drugs and tackle health issues through improved nutrition. "It’s nonsensical for U.S. taxpayers to spend tens of billions of dollars subsidizing junk that harms the health of low-income Americans," Kennedy argued in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

The American Beverage Association (ABA), representing companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper, is lobbying to block the changes. They emphasize the industry’s efforts to promote healthier options, highlighting that low- and no-sugar drinks now account for 60% of nonalcoholic packaged beverages sold in the U.S. Kroweaba / Wikimedia

"No other industry is doing what we are doing in terms of offering choice in zero-sugar products," said Kevin Keane, CEO of the ABA, according to The Wall Street Journal. @AmeriBev / X

Share Our Strength, an anti-hunger organization partially funded by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, suggests that Congress should instead invest in programs to improve access to healthy foods. Elle Hughes / Pexels

Restricting sugary beverages under SNAP would require congressional approval, a process that could take years. Past efforts to restrict unhealthy foods from SNAP benefits have faced resistance, even within the Republican Party. While figures like Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Josh Brecheen support the measures, others remain skeptical. United States Department of Agriculture / Wikimedia

"I believe in educating consumers on what is in their best interest," said Rep. Frank Lucas, expressing concern over government interference in consumer choice. U.S. Congress / Wikimedia

Despite the pushback, proponents see Kennedy’s alignment with the Trump administration as a potential turning point. Rubio stated, “Congress can push a lot of things, but when the executive branch is already on board, it makes it a lot easier to get things done.” Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images