The bill, introduced last week by state Rep. Mary Bentley (R), would allow food stamps to be used to purchase only "food products and beverages that have sufficient nutritional value," KNXV-TV reported.
Bentley's proposal aims to reduce Medicaid costs associated with covering obesity-related conditions, Arkansas Online reported. Arkansas is the sixth-most-obese state in the nation, according to the publication.
"Chips and Cokes and candy bars," Bentley said. "People can go buy Red Bull with food stamps, and that's not encouraging health."
Food stamp recipents currently cannot purchase alcohol, tobacco, vitamins or prepared foods with the government assistance program.
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