The Healthy SNAP Act redefines eligible foods for SNAP benefits, prohibiting purchase of soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts. USDA must designate nutritious foods for SNAP and review the list every five years based on nutrition science.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Healthy SNAP Act redefines eligible foods for SNAP benefits, prohibiting purchase of soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts. USDA must designate nutritious foods for SNAP and review the list every five years based on nutrition science.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Healthy SNAP Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to redefine the foods eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.</p><p>Under the bill, SNAP benefits may not be used for soft drinks, candy, ice cream, or prepared desserts, such as cakes, pies, cookies, or similar products.</p><p>Further, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must designate by regulation foods and food products to include in the SNAP definition of the term <em>food</em>. USDA must consider food and products that (1) based on nutrition research, contain nutrients lacking in the diets of people in the United States; and (2) promote the health of the population served by SNAP, based on relevant nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. USDA must also, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the fat, sugar, and salt content of the food and food products are appropriate. At least every five years, USDA must review and amend the list.</p><p>In addition, prepared meals purchased with SNAP benefits must have nutritional values consistent with standards developed by USDA for the list of food and food products.</p><p>A state agency may substitute different foods for food USDA designated under this bill, with USDA approval, so long as the foods are nutritionally equivalent; this is permitted to allow for different cultural eating patterns.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Prohibits SNAP purchase of soft drinks and candy
Bans ice cream and prepared desserts from SNAP
Requires USDA to designate nutritious foods
Mandates five-year review of eligible foods
Allows state substitutions for cultural patterns
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
SNAP recipients would face restrictions on purchasing sugary foods and drinks. Grocery stores may see shifts in SNAP purchasing patterns. Public health advocates support while some view this as paternalistic toward low-income families.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
561, 119th Congress (2025). "Healthy SNAP Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-561