# Plain Language Summary: Healthy SNAP Act of 2025

This bill changes what foods people can buy with SNAP benefits (food stamps). Right now, SNAP covers most foods except alcohol and tobacco. This bill would add new restrictions by banning the purchase of soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts like cakes, cookies, and pies. Instead of letting people buy whatever food they want, the government would create an official list of approved foods that are considered healthy based on nutrition science.

The bill gives the Department of Agriculture 180 days to create this approved food list. When making the list, they'd focus on foods that contain nutrients many Americans lack in their diets and that promote better health. They'd also try to limit foods high in fat, sugar, and salt. Every five years, the government would review and update this list based on the latest nutrition research and health concerns. The bill also allows some flexibility—states could swap in different foods that are nutritionally equivalent if they fit different cultural eating patterns, so people from different backgrounds could still eat foods traditional to their culture.

The practical effect is that millions of low-income Americans who receive SNAP benefits would have less choice about what they can eat. They couldn't use their benefits to buy sugary drinks or sweets, even if they wanted to. Supporters argue this would improve public health by steering people toward more nutritious foods. Critics worry it could be seen as the government controlling what poor people eat and might make shopping more complicated, since people would need to know which foods are on the approved list.

Healthy SNAP Act of 2025

Brecheen, Josh

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.