AG Mayes: Is Arizona’s SNAP Sugar Crackdown About Health or Politics?

Earlier this year, Arizona was considering a restriction on the amount of sugary food and beverages individuals could purchase using EBT SNAP benefits. The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS)

Now, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes seems to be rethinking the change.

Why Is Arizona’s Attorney General Opposing SNAP Sugar Restrictions?

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has made it clear she’s not on board with proposals to ban Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from buying sugary foods and drinks.

In a statement, Mayes recently argued that adding these restrictions would “do more harm than good,” warning that they risk stigmatizing low‑income families. Families are already facing rising food costs; this would add more stress to an already challenging dilemma.

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Her stance reflects a broader pushback from public health and anti‑hunger advocates who say limiting purchases doesn’t solve the underlying issues of food insecurity.

READ MORE: New Arizona SNAP Soda Law Could Stigmatize Low-Income Families

What Does the State Say About SNAP’s Role in Arizona?

According to the Attorney General’s Office, nearly 900,000 Arizonans rely on SNAP, and that includes 1 in 4 children and 30,000 veterans.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), which administers SNAP, states that SNAP's role is to stabilize families and support local retailers. Mayes has also highlighted that SNAP dollars generate economic activity, with every $1 in benefits producing up to $1.80 in growth during weak economic periods.

READ MORE: Cochise County Food Pantries Need Shelf-Stable Foods

Why Is Arizona Refusing to Share SNAP Recipient Data?

During the recent government shutdown, federal funding was on shaky ground, and Arizona faced the very real possibility that SNAP funding could be throttled or stopped altogether.

Mayes pledged to fight any federal effort to force states to hand over detailed SNAP recipient data, calling it a privacy and civil‑rights concern. She argues that sharing sensitive information could erode trust and expose vulnerable families to potential misuse.

Arizona has taken a broader stance to protect residents' data, and both the state and AG Mayes have continued to fight federal overreach in state‑run programs.