COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) director announced Friday an update for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Ohio.
According to the release, the ODJFS said there is a delay in the implementation of the ban that would limit the purchase of certain sugary drinks with the SNAP benefits.
The ban was originally set to begin on October 1, but it is being put on hold at the request of the U.S. Department of Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA).
Earlier this year the FNA approved a waiver to allow Ohio to restrict the use of SNAP benefits for certain beverages like fountain drinks and soda.
Specifically, the list includes beverages that list the following ingredients:
SugarCorn syrupHigh-fructose corn syrupCaloric sweeteners as the primary ingredientOr listed as the second ingredient if the first is carbonated water
However, the FNA recently requested that Ohio delays the implementation so it can issue a notice in the Federal Register and assess public comments prior to project implementation, the release shared.
Ohio has paused the start of the ban until receiving further guidance.
Over three months, a workgroup convened by Gov. Mike DeWine evaluated a wide range of data including:
Impact of nutrition on children’s healthHistory and purpose of SNAPRetail logisticsImplementation feasibility
According to the ODJFS, the workgroup noted that many health experts agree these drinks are widely recognized as having little to no nutritional value and are linked to chronic health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
As a result, the group recommended a clear and simple definition to restrict the beverages, and to ensure that SNAP recipients can easily understand what is and isn’t eligible for purchase.
The ODJFS said it will communicate the delay to SNAP recipients and retailers and will provide both with details of the implementation once those are known.
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