States can now stop those using federal food assistance from buying soft drinks

(KYMA, KECY/CBS) - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that states can stop those using federal food assistance from buying soft drinks.

Kennedy Jr. made the announcement during a meeting with West Virginia's state governor, who signed a legislation banning certain foods.

West Virginia is the first to band food containing seven artificial food dyes and two preservatives.

"We have a public health crisis in this country, and unfortunately, West Virginia is leading the way. There's the highest obesity rate of any state in our country this year, you pulled ahead of Mississippi," said Kennedy.

The health secretary has been outspoken about health dangers, including certain kinds of dyes and processed foods.