Healthy SNAP Act of 2025
Healthy SNAP Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Healthy SNAP Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Healthy SNAP Act would restrict what foods people can buy with SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps). Specifically, it would ban the purchase of soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts like cakes, pies, and cookies. Additionally, the USDA would be required to create official guidelines determining which foods are eligible for SNAP, focusing on nutritional value. The agency would need to review and update these guidelines every five years, considering nutrition science, public health, and cultural eating patterns while aiming to limit fat, sugar, and salt content. **Who It Affects** This bill would primarily impact the approximately 42 million Americans who currently receive SNAP benefits, including low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals.
It could also affect grocery stores and food manufacturers who sell to SNAP participants. **Current Status** The bill is still in committee and has not been voted on by Congress. It was introduced by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) in the 119th Congress, meaning it remains in the early stages of the legislative process and may not advance further.
CRS Official Summary
Healthy SNAP Act of 2025This bill amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to redefine the foods eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.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.Further, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must designate by regulation foods and food products to include in the SNAP definition of the term food. 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.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.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.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.