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Michigan lawmaker seeks to restrict soda purchases with SNAP benefits, citing health and taxpayer concerns. Rep. Brad Paquette’s soda SNAP ban proposal ignites debate over public health, personal choice, and welfare oversight in Michigan.
State Representative Brad Paquette (R-Niles) has introduced House Bill 4305, a measure aimed at stopping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Michigan from using their benefits to purchase soda. The bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to seek a federal waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the restriction. If denied, the MDHHS would be required to reapply for the waiver annually until it is approved.
“Michigan taxpayers should not be required to fund poor food consumption,” Paquette said. “This legislation is in no way calling for low-income individuals to be stripped of the assistance they currently receive to feed themselves and their families, but we have to recognize that this assistance is a privilege and comes at the expense of taxpaying workers”
He added, “Soda is among the most nutritionally detrimental food options available… The N in SNAP stands for nutrition. Taxpayer dollars should provide assistance for those in need to obtain food and drink that brings nourishment to the body”
Public Health Advocates See Ban as Step Toward Better Outcomes
Michigan has one of the highest adult obesity rates in the country, at approximately 35%. Many health experts say curbing sugary drink consumption among low-income households could positively influence public health.
Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a physician and public health policy expert at Tufts University, supports this direction: “It’s not a bad idea to discourage people on federal assistance from consuming things like soda and candy”
Soda has been a repeated target for policy changes due to its well-documented links to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. But whether a SNAP soda ban would meaningfully reduce those risks remains hotly debated.
Critics Say Soda Ban Threatens SNAP Autonomy and Dignity
Opponents of House Bill 4305 argue that such restrictions would stigmatize low-income residents and fail to address the underlying causes of unhealthy eating, such as the inaccessibility and high cost of nutritious food.
Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, stated, “If we really want to improve public health, we ought to make healthier food more affordable, more physically available, and convenient”
From the recipient side, the sentiment is just as clear. Natalie Kiyah, a Michigan SNAP user and single mother, shared how food choices connect to her sense of agency. “The more choice I have, I feel more dignity. I feel more secure in who I am—having options—which then makes me a better mom and better mental health. It’s all connected”
Federal Government Has Repeatedly Rejected Soda Restrictions
Even if Michigan passes the bill, the USDA’s past actions suggest the road ahead may be rocky. No state has successfully secured a waiver to ban soda or other specific items under SNAP.
Katie Bergh, senior policy analyst with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, explained, “None of those requests have ever been approved under either Republican or Democratic presidents”
While the USDA has promoted nutritional education as a key part of SNAP policy, it has consistently resisted proposals that would regulate what beneficiaries can and cannot buy—citing concerns about stigmatization and administrative feasibility.
Michigan’s Proposal Tied to National Trends in Food Assistance Reform
The debate over SNAP soda bans is part of a broader national trend of trying to align food assistance with nutrition standards. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed support for banning soda purchases with SNAP, raising the visibility of the issue at the federal level
If Michigan lawmakers adopt House Bill 4305, it could become a test case for whether public health policy and federal nutrition aid can or should be more tightly linked.
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Works Cited
Associated Press. “Some Want to Stop SNAP Recipients from Buying Soda. RFK Jr. Is One of Them.” AP News, 2 Apr. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/b6351b86a17b281b67480fe2d24b54f4. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
Michigan House Republicans. “Rep. Paquette Introduces Bill Prohibiting Soda Purchases with Taxpayer Dollars.” gophouse.org, 4 Apr. 2025, https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-paquette-introduces-bill-prohibiting-soda-purchases-with-taxpayer-dollars. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
Michigan Public Radio. “RFK Jr. Wants to Stop People Using SNAP Benefits to Buy Soda. Will It Help?” Michigan Public, 3 Apr. 2025, https://www.michiganpublic.org/2025-04-03/rfk-jr-wants-to-stop-people-using-snap-benefits-to-buy-soda-will-it-help. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
Michigan State Medical Society. “National Public Health Week, April 7–13, 2025 in Michigan: A Celebration of Health, Education, and Community.” MSMS.org, 1 Apr. 2025, https://www.msms.org/About-MSMS/News-Media/national-public-health-week-april-7-13-2025-in-michigan-a-celebration-of-health-education-and-community. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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