Food Stamp Junk Food Ban Stays Alive

A bill sponsored by Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, that would ban the use of food stamps to buy candy and other junk food remains alive in the Florida Legislature, according to an Associated Press report posted by the Miami Herald.

The measure, SB 1658, narrowly cleared a Senate budget subcommittee Wednesday on a 4-3 vote, the AP reports.

The bill has been opposed by soft drink bottlers and retailers "who said separating banned items from those that would be allowed would increase costs for small businesses," according to the report.

Storms called that a "red herring," the AP said, because its already being done to segregate non-food items not covered by the stamps.

The bill next goes to the full Budget Committee, which can approve it for a floor vote, the report states.