One key objection raised by the coalition — an objection the USDA echoed in its denial of New York’s demonstration project — is the possibility that further restrictions might lead to further stigma. Feeling ashamed or uncomfortable about being on public assistance, advocates believe, may deter people from signing up for food aid. Alleviating such discomfort is one reason SNAP recipients now use electronic benefit cards similar to debit cards, instead of the old paper stamps, which easily identified shoppers on public assistance.

“This business of being treated differently is a big piece of it for us,” said Ellen Vollinger, legal director for the Food Research and Action Center in Washington. “It’s a big step backward, to the age of paper coupons.”

Agriculture Department officials, in a 2007 paper, identified other “serious” problems with the idea of restricting unhealthful foods. Keeping tabs on hundreds of thousands of American food products would be costly and complicated.

Moreover, they argued, there are no “clear standards” for what constitutes healthful food: by some measurements, diet soda, which is low in calories and sugar, could be considered “healthier” than orange juice.

(Source: se-smith)