Texas Proposal Would Ban Food Stamps for Junk Food

A proposal in the Lone Star State would ban food stamps from being used to pay for junk food such as sports drinks, soda, candy, chips, and cookies.

The policy would ban using food stamps for drinks containing at least 54 milligrams of caffeine per eight fluid ounces, but would not include coffee or fruit juices, according to WFAA ABC 8.

HB 4364 was introduced in the House Committee for Human Services by Baytown Republican State Rep. Briscoe Cain.

“At-risk Texans and families who utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are often the most susceptible to diabetes and the serious complications associated with it,” Rep. Cain said.

Adding that nearly three million Texans have diabetes, Cain continued, “HB 4364 seeks to curb the spread of diabetes and other health complications among Texans in at-risk populations by eliminating sugary drinks and snacks from the state’s nutrition assistance program.”

Cain’s office also noted that diabetes treatment costs $23.7 billion a year in Texas.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.