The federal government’s social engineers never seem to learn. Time and time again their mandates issued in the name of consumerism make life tougher, not better.

They’re back. Now, they are mandating that retailers who accept food stamps must stock wider varieties of healthy foods.

Retailers tend to stock what they believe customers will buy. Putting items on the shelves because people should purchase them increases prices for everyone and limits shoppers’ options.

The mandate could even force some smaller stores out of the program, making it more difficult and expensive for low-income families to obtain any food.

But don’t look for Washington’s social engineering class to see their mistake and correct it. Congress probably will have to take care of that.