A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that stores market sugary drinks more heavily on days when SNAP benefits are issued. According to a 2016 U.S. Department of Agriculture report, sugary drinks account for about 10 percent of SNAP food dollars spent. The Texas bill is not the first time legislators have attempted to limit government subsidies of sugary drinks. In truth, non-SNAP households spend nearly as much money on sugary drinks, accounting for 7 percent of food purchases according to a USDA report. With skyrocketing obesity rates among the poor, limiting empty calories from sugary drinks and junk food doesn’t seem wrongheaded.

Source: Washington Post May 01, 2019 17:12 UTC