A group of South Carolina legislators is pushing for restrictions on the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, aiming to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with taxpayer-funded assistance.
The proposed bill, known as the South Carolina SNAP Nutrition Integrity Act, has been introduced by Rep. Stephen Frank of Greenville, along with seven other co-sponsors, most of whom represent the Upstate region. The legislation seeks to improve nutritional standards for low-income individuals by eliminating sugary foods and beverages from eligible SNAP purchases.
Under the bill, “candy” is defined as any product containing sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. “Soft drinks” refer to carbonated beverages sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners, excluding milk and juice.
A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that individuals on SNAP benefits purchase 40% more sugar-sweetened beverages than those not receiving assistance. Soft drinks accounted for nearly 7% of total grocery spending among SNAP recipients.
Despite these findings, the American Beverage Association opposes the proposed restrictions. In a 2024 statement, the association argued that obesity rates have continued to rise despite declining soda consumption. It also warned against what it calls “government overreach” in limiting food choices for families.
Since SNAP is a federal program, South Carolina lawmakers lack direct authority to enforce the restrictions. Instead, they are seeking a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement the changes. If the bill is approved and the waiver granted, the restrictions would take effect six months later.
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