A Missouri lawmaker wants to ban recipients of a federal food assistance program from using those benefits to buy energy drinks.
Democratic state Rep. Keith English of Florissant filed legislation recently to prevent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds from buying the drinks.
Eligible low-income families receive monthly assistance to buy food through the program, which formerly was known as food stamps.
Recipients of the program still could buy coffee under the legislation.
The measure requires Missouri to request federal authorization if necessary to implement the ban on energy drinks.
