Healthy SNAP Act of 2025

This bill changes what foods people can buy with SNAP. It would stop SNAP benefits from being used to buy soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts like cakes and cookies. The USDA would set an approved list of foods that help fill nutrition gaps and support health, paying attention to fat, sugar, and salt levels, and to cultural eating patterns.

The USDA must create this list within 180 days after the bill becomes law, review it at least every five years, and update it based on new nutrition science. Prepared meals bought with SNAP would need to meet the same nutrition standards. States could ask to swap in culturally appropriate foods that are nutritionally equal, with USDA approval.

• Who is affected: People who use SNAP; state agencies that run SNAP.
• What changes: No SNAP purchases of soft drinks, candy, ice cream, or prepared desserts; USDA sets and updates an approved food list; prepared meals must meet set nutrition standards; states may substitute culturally equivalent foods with approval .
• When: USDA must issue the initial list within 180 days after enactment and review it at least every five years.