North Dakota has submitted a request to the federal government to prohibit North Dakotans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from using their benefits to buy soft drinks, energy drinks or candy.

If approved, products like chewing gum, chocolate-covered nuts, sweetened cereal bars and energy shots will soon be off-limits under the program.

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services submitted the waiver request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in late October. The state wrote in the proposal that it would take roughly eight months to implement the changes.

“This waiver request addresses public health challenges across ND by aiming to improve the nutritional well-being of SNAP participants,” the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

See Full Page