The GOP is proposing legislation that would block food stamp users from using their stamps to purchase junk food.

A 2012 study found that food stamps enable about $2 billion worth of junk food purchases each year, and that more than half of all SNAP benefits are used to buy sugary drinks.

Republican Phil Roe, proposing the bill said: "Already, states like Wisconsin and South Carolina have shown interest in improving the healthfulness of choices in their SNAP programs."

"By giving SNAP recipients more nutritious choices, we can take a meaningful step towards ending hunger in America."

"As a physician, I realize the importance of healthy eating, and as an obstetrician, I've seen how the WIC program helps empower families receiving assistance to use taxpayer dollars to purchase healthy, wholesome foods."

According to TheHill.com, under Roe's bill, food purchased under SNAP would have to meet the same guidelines that food purchased under the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program already have to meet. The WIC guidelines are strict, and are made up of several different standards for products like breakfast cereal, milk, vegetables, peanut butter and other foods.

Breakfast cereal, for example, must contain certain levels of iron, cannot contain more than 21.2 grams of sugar per 100 grams of cereal, and must have whole grain as a primary ingredient in order to be bought under the WIC program.


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