Ohio officials announce delay on SNAP sugary beverages ban

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced earlier this month that it is delaying a ban on purchasing certain sugary drinks with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Ohio (Source: “Ohio officials delay SNAP ban of sugary beverages,” Spectrum News, Sept. 8).

The ban was originally set to begin on Oct. 1; however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA)  has requested a delay, according to an ODJFS release.

“The FNA recently requested Ohio to delay implementation so that the FNA can issue a notice in the Federal Register and assess public comments prior to project implementation,” ODJFS said in the news release. “In response, Ohio will pause the start of the sugary beverage ban until it receives further guidance. ODJFS will communicate the delay to SNAP recipients and retailers and will provide both with details of the implementation once those are known.”