Nutrition Bill Gains Senate Support, But SNAP Benefit Debate Looms

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) — Senate Bill 14 aims to implement parts of the Make America Healthy Again initiative in Louisiana. On April 30, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee moved the bill forward with a vote of 4-3.

The majority of this legislation garnered widespread approval. This includes eliminating artificial colorings and preservatives from lunch programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, placing cautionary notices on items prohibited elsewhere globally, ensuring restaurants disclose whether they use specific vegetable-based cooking oils, as well as obliging medical professionals to undergo further training regarding metabolism and dietary matters—all these measures received backing from both the committee and numerous healthcare groups that provided testimony.

Just yesterday, Pepsi Co. revealed that they plan to eliminate artificial additives from some of their food products as well," Senator Patrick McMath stated. "This indicates that the industry views this shift not merely as a fleeting TikTok trend.

A portion of the bill faced disapproval from certain committee members: eliminating soft drinks from SNAP benefits.

“Some children face marginalization nowadays, and when we enact laws that push these kids even farther apart from those whose families can afford what you and I provide—like buying snacks without relying on SNAP cards—they will have to deal with this reality as they grow up," stated Senator Gerald Boudreaux.

Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews added her voice to the discussion, expressing similar concerns over how this might affect children.

Gatorade and Powerade are part of it, correct?" Andrews asked. "While children who play football or engage in sports might fall under this category, they often require these beverages for hydration.

Obtaining approval from the USDA will be necessary, but Senator Patrick McMath, who introduced the bill and chairs the Health and Welfare Committee, stated that this shouldn’t pose a problem.

"There have been five additional states that have submitted waiver requests similar to our efforts in Louisiana, and all indications from Washington suggest these are being expedited towards approval," McMath stated.

SB 14 is now moving to the Senate floor for debate and final passage. Its prospects in the House remain unclear. Nonetheless, Governor Landry has fully endorsed this Louisiana MAHA initiative.

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