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Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Latest from Food Politics: SNAP waivers: bad for business?

By Marion Nestle

June 17 2026

SNAP waivers: bad for business?

Here’s what got me started on this one: SNAP waivers could lead to $830M sales loss for soda, candy, energy drinks: By the end of 2026, state-specific restrictions are expected to impact one-third of participants in the government food assistance program, Numerator found.

Redirected or reduced spending by SNAP households could lead to sales losses of $430 million for soda, $300 million for candy, and $100 million for energy drinks across the 19 states that will have waivers in place by the end of the year, according to the firm’s research.

SNAP waivers refer to rules about what SNAP recipients can buy with their electronic benefit cards. Without waivers, they cannot buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, cannabis edibles and drinks, supplements, hot food, and non-food items.

Waivers add sugar-sweetened beverages and some junk foods to this list.

Up until this administration, the USDA turned down requests by cities (New York) and states (Maine, Nevada) for such waivers.

Now, the USDA has granted waivers to 23 states so far, and is encouraging others to request them.

Food retailers are the beneficiaries of SNAP EBT cards. SNAP recipients buy a lot of soda (as do lots of other people). In waiver states, they will have to use their own money to buy soda.

Will waivers reduce overall sales? Retailers think so.

Will waivers reduce consumption of sugary drinks, and improve the health of SNAP recipients?

Let’s hope these states are sponsoring research to find out.

The post SNAP waivers: bad for business? appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Now Available: What to Eat Now

My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out!

It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously.

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Marion Nestle

Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita

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Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Latest from Food Politics: Stat News' assessment of MAHA progress: a mixed bag

By Marion Nestle

June 16 2026

Stat News’ assessment of MAHA progress: a mixed bag

StatNews ‘ Isabella Cueto and J. Emory Parker did a detailed analysis of 80 promises made by the MAHA administration and evaluated progress toward meeting them.

I’ve pulled out the promises most relevant to food and nutrition (I’m surprised at how many there are). These are worth reading, not least because of Stat’s thoughtful analysis of what the actions or inactions mean.

Lots of others bear on food and nutrition, but less directly.

See what you think. For another look, See Food Tank’s chronology: One Year On: How Trump and Vance Have Changed Food, Agriculture, Health, and Climate.