Alabama Bans Junk Food with Food Stamps

0:00It's April 10th. This is Birmingham News Today, powered by AI. Alabama lawmakers have passed a bill cracking down on food stamp purchases, banning candy and non-diet sodas with SNAP benefits. Senate Bill 57 cleared both chambers this week, and now heads to the governor for his signature. Earlier this week, the House tweaked the bill by adding energy drinks to the restricted list, sending it back to the Senate. Lawmakers there stripped out energy drinks and assigned the governor's office to handle staffing for rollout. SNAP serves hundreds of thousands of low-income families in Alabama, and this push echoes national talks on healthier eating. Supporters argue it fights obesity and junk food reliance, but opponents say it complicates shopping without fixing root issues like food deserts. The State Department of Human Resources must seek a federal waiver to make it happen, reapplying yearly if denied. Other states have tried similar limits with mixed success. If the governor signs it and feds approve, restrictions start October 1st, 2026, potentially

1:02reshaping how Alabama's use benefits for daily groceries.