The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as six states are set to implement new rules regarding the types of food that can be purchased using these benefits.
On August 3, waivers from West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas were authorized, altering the statutory definition of food for purchase. These changes will put an end to the subsidization of popular junk food, with the new regulations taking effect in 2026.
These states join six others that signed similar waivers earlier in the year, totaling twelve states participating in these reforms.
SNAP is a crucial lifeline for many Americans, offering federally funded assistance for food purchases. According to Feeding America, the program provided monthly funds to over 41 million people in 2022, which is approximately 12.5% of the U.S. population.
The program operates similarly to a debit card, allowing participants to swipe or tap to purchase eligible groceries from local stores or farmers’ markets. The amount each household receives depends on income and the number of people in the household.
Eligibility for SNAP is determined on a state-by-state basis, but generally, households must meet both gross and net income limits established by the USDA. Typically, gross monthly income must be at or below 130% of the poverty line, while net income should not exceed the poverty line itself.
Once a household qualifies for SNAP, it is allocated a specific amount of benefits each month. The USDA outlines the formula for calculating these benefits, which is based on expected expenditures of 30% of the household’s resources for food.
Historically, SNAP waivers have provided flexibility during times of economic hardship, such as during the pandemic when many states adapted the program for virtual service delivery.
The new waivers set to begin in 2026 will prevent families from using SNAP benefits to purchase certain items such as soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts, depending on the state.
In Texas, for example, the changes will ban these items outright, while states like Colorado and West Virginia are limiting the ban to just soft drinks. This shift aligns with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s initiatives to promote healthier food choices among SNAP participants.
Kennedy expressed his support for the waivers, stating, “For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy — products that fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics. These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health.”
Despite the intent behind these changes, experts argue that the issue of SNAP participants’ food choices is complex and tied to their access to healthy food options. Kavelle Christie, a health policy and advocacy expert, emphasized that limited access to fresh produce and healthy meals is often a challenge for those in rural areas and food deserts.
She noted, “For many families, fresh produce and healthy meals are luxuries that are unattainable, not because they do not want these foods, but because they are unavailable or too expensive.”
The Center for Science in the Public Interest highlighted that although the outcome of these new waivers is uncertain, studies suggest that restrictions on sugary beverages may contribute to a decrease in their consumption among children and a reduction in diet-related diseases among adults.
Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials conducted in recent years found no significant differences in diet quality between participants who faced restrictions on sugar-sweetened beverages and those who did not.
Research from the USDA has also indicated that SNAP participants misunderstand the health implications of food choices, but the limiting factor remains the affordability and availability of healthy options.
Earlier in the year, waivers were also signed in Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah aimed at restricting certain food items under SNAP. While the specific restrictions may vary by state, they uniformly include bans on soda or soft drinks alongside some banning candy altogether.
Government officials hope that more states will follow suit in enacting these reforms, aiming for a healthier populace that prioritizes nutritious food choices.
In summary, while the HHS initiative to restrict junk food purchases using SNAP benefits is backed by a desire to improve public health, it also raises critical questions about access to affordable healthy food options for low-income families across the nation.
The effectiveness of these reforms will be closely monitored, as they mark a significant shift in how food assistance programs operate in the United States.
image source from：foodandwine
