Federal government grants request to ban purchase of sugary carbonated drinks via SNAP.

Ohio officials said Wednesday that the federal government has granted their request to ban the purchase of sugary carbonated drinks via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. According to Matt Damschroder, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the state’s request for a waiver, enabling Ohio to prohibit the purchase of specific beverages with SNAP benefits starting on October 1.