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119-s-1100119th CongressWALLET

Nutritious SNAP Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Paul, Rand [R-KY]

Introduced

Summary

Restricts SNAP purchases to basic beverages and bans many snack and dessert items. The bill would also let states ask USDA to block foods their state nutrition agency labels as unhealthy from being bought with SNAP benefits.

Show full summary
  • Families and SNAP participants: Would no longer be able to use benefits to buy sugary sodas and many snack or dessert items. Examples named include potato and tortilla chips, ice cream, candy, snack cakes and packaged baking mixes.
  • State nutrition agencies: Would gain a tool to request that USDA prohibit SNAP purchases of foods the state agency determines are unhealthy.
  • SNAP program rules: Amends the Food and Nutrition Act to change the legal definition of "food" and to add a new subsection allowing state-level restrictions tied to the Accessory Foods List from March 5, 2018.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More foods allowed for SNAP

If enacted, this bill would broaden what counts as food for SNAP. You would be able to use benefits on more nonalcoholic drinks and some snacks and desserts. It would add many nonalcoholic beverages, but not water, cow's milk, milk substitutes (for example, almond, soy, or coconut), or 100 percent juice. Snack and dessert items listed in the USDA Food and Nutrition Service "Accessory Foods List" (effective March 5, 2018) would also count. The change would take effect upon enactment. States could still request a waiver to block purchases they call "unhealthy."

States could block unhealthy SNAP purchases

If enacted, the bill would let a State agency ask the Agriculture Secretary to prohibit using SNAP benefits to buy foods the State nutrition agency calls "unhealthy food." The ban would apply only if the Secretary permits the State request. If your State gets approval, you could not use SNAP to buy those foods. The rule would take effect upon enactment. The bill does not specify how "unhealthy food" would be defined or overseen.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Paul, Rand [R-KY]

KY • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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