Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson are trying to stop New Yorkers from spending food stamps on sugar-sweetened drinks.

In an effort to fight obesity, Bloomberg and Paterson recently asked the federal government to add sugary drinks to the list of banned items, which includes alcohol and cigarettes. If approved, it would be the first time an item would be banned from the federal program based solely on nutritional value.

In 2008 in Maine, this idea drew criticism from advocates for the poor who argued it unfairly singled out low-income people and risked scaring off potential needy recipients. And in 2004 the USDA rejected Minnesota’s plan to ban junk food, including soda and candy, from food stamp purchases, saying it would violate the Food Stamp Act’s definition of what is food and could create “confusion and embarrassment” at the register.

While food stamps cannot be used to buy alcohol, cigarettes or items such as pet food, vitamins or household goods, there still are many unhealthful products New Yorkers could purchase with food stamps, including potato chips, ice cream and candy. But officials said the proposal targets sugary drinks because they are the largest contributor to obesity.

“We continue to see a dramatic rise in obesity among children, especially in low-income communities,” state Department of Health Commissioner Richard Daines said. “This initiative targets a major public health threat – the high consumption of sugary beverages – which have little to no nutritional value.”

“This initiative will give New York families more money to spend on foods and drinks that provide real nourishment,” said a statement from Bloomberg, who also has outlawed trans-fats in restaurant food and has forced chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menus.

The city and state proposal would be temporary, so officials could study its effects over two years. It would apply only to food stamp recipients in New York City – 1.7 million of the city’s more than 8 million residents – and would not affect the amount of assistance they receive.