The Food Stamp programme since its original development in 1939, has been helping American families access healthy food. Known as SNAP or EBT today, it was expanded after 1974, when Congress required all states to offer food stamps to low-income households.

However, Food Stamps restrict purchases on items not related to food, such as, cigarettes, alcohol and toiletries, and it is an interesting idea that they should also be restricted to high-calorie drinks, whose consumption causes health related problems.

The corn industry loves soda and since High Fructose Corn Syrup is one of the most important by-products of corn production, being super sweet it is used in almost all processed foods, but especially in highly processed bottled drinks that are blamed for contributing to obesity rates in children and adults.

To combat obesity and health damage due to over consumption of high-calorie drinks, New York’s mayor Bloomberg is petitioning the USDA to restrict Food Stamp purchases for sugary drinks. USDA agreeing to the request will mean NYC residents will not be able to use food stamps for buying sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks with added sugar. However, products without added sugar will be allowed.

The government says it will review and consider New York’s proposal.