Lawmakers Block Junk Food Curbs as Food Lobbying Hits Record $113 Million
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 12
Lawmakers Block Junk Food Curbs as Food Lobbying Hits Record $113 Million
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 12
Congress in recent weeks sided repeatedly with processed food companies, defeating a farm bill amendment to bar SNAP soda purchases and blocking release of a federal report on junk food marketing to children.
A record $113 million in food and beverage lobbying since Trump returned to office in January helped reinforce those votes, with the American Beverage Association, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo spending millions ahead of the House soda fight.
Neither chamber has moved on dozens of proposals to ban synthetic food colors, tighten labeling rules or push healthier school meals, showing the broader "Make America Healthy Again" agenda has gained little traction on Capitol Hill.
Industry groups argue new SNAP restrictions are unnecessary and hard to define, while health advocates say the sector now wields political power rivaling or exceeding tobacco's historic influence.
Why is federal food policy stalling while a national movement calls for healthier, safer ingredients?
With courts empowering states to ban new foods, is America's leadership in food innovation at risk?
As states enact separate food safety laws, will this patchwork of rules drive up national grocery prices?