LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Arkansas’ prohibition on the use of SNAP benefits for unhealthy food items like soda and candy takes effect next year, and state lawmakers and retailers are questioning how it can realistically be implemented.

At an Arkansas Legislative Council meeting Tuesday, State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, (R) District 18, expressed concerns about the lack of clarity from the state on what food items are banned.

“I have started getting concerns from retailers on how we’re going to implement the nutrition side of the program,” Dismang said.

There’s not a clear list of SNAP-prohibited junk food products Arkansas has named in its new ban, which only says that “soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50 percent natural juice, unhealthy drinks, and candy” are now ineligible for SNAP.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services has planned to put the burden of defining what is or isn’t eligible on retailers rather than creating its own list.

The plan was for retailers to refer to GS1 U.S. food product classifications as a guide, but very few retailers actually use that. The state has two other options.

“If they choose to use a third party to help take that GS1 framework and apply it to their own individual product array that they sell, that’s an option as well… the third option is take the broad definitions that we are providing through the GS1 framework and apply it in good faith to their own product array,” said Mary Franklin, director of the DHS Division of County Operations, at Tuesday’s ALC Peer meeting.

“Your three options are not workable options for retailers. That may be the easiest thing for DHS to do, but it is not feasible for every grocer or retailer in the state to maintain their own list,” Dismang responded, “we’re going to be asking our retailers to make those judgment calls at their own peril if they do it incorrectly.”

The senator expressed concern that it may discourage retailers from participating in SNAP, potentially costing recipients their access to benefits, particularly in rural areas.

“What I’m scared you’re going to do is create a scenario where entities, probably in areas that they need it the most, are not going to be able to offer SNAP because of the risk associated with not appropriately categorizing an item,” Dismang said.

“We want to make sure that the rules don’t unintentionally reduce access across communities that already face barriers,” Claire Tiffin, director of community engagement with the Arkansas Food Bank, told KATV.

Dismang has asked that DHS establish its own list of SNAP-ineligible food items that retailers can rely on.

Winthrop Eagles (2-2) at Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1)

Fayetteville, Arkansas; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Razorbacks -20.5; over/under is 167.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 21 Arkansas hosts Winthrop after Darius Acuff Jr. scored 20 points in Arkansas’ 79-75 victory over the Samford Bulldogs.

Arkansas went 22-14 overall last season while going 13-4 at home. The Razorbacks averaged 76.8 points per game last season, 35.7 in the paint, 14.1 off of turnovers and 12.2 on fast breaks.

Winthrop went 23-11 overall a season ago while going 5-8 on the road. The Eagles averaged 84.7 points per game while shooting 47.4% from the field and 34.2% from 3-point distance last season.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas men’s tennis team will have a representative at the ITA Singles Championships for the first time since 2022, as Jakub Vrba takes part in the tournament after qualifying through the ITA Central Sectional Championships. The last Razorback to reach this feat was Alex Reco.

Vrba has posted a 9-3 record in ITA singles events, including five wins against ranked opponents. He collected his highest ranked victory of the fall after a win against No. 30 Alexander Bernard (Ohio State). Vrba started the preseason ITA rankings at No. 123 and navigated his way through multiple qualifying tournaments to earn his bid to the NCAA Singles Championships.

No. 123 Vrba will take on No. 49 Peter Benjamin Privara (Harvard) on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8 a.m. CT in the Round of 64.

The tournament will take place at the UTSA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., with a total of 64 singles player qualifying for the competition. Singles matches begin on Tuesday, Nov. 18, with one round of play taking place each day of the tournament with the championship match being scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 23.

The NCAA Singles Championships bracket is here and will be updated after results are final each day. Live streaming will be available on ESPN+.

For the latest information on all things Arkansas Men’s Tennis, follow the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Men’s Tennis) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackMTennis).