WASHINGTON – In a bid to encourage healthy diets, Sen. Katie Britt has helped introduce legislation that would prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients from purchasing junk food with their benefits.
Britt (R-Montgomery) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) sponsored the Healthy SNAP Act to exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts from being purchased with SNAP funds.
“The state of chronic disease in America is limiting our potential and preventing our kids from achieving their own American Dream,” said Britt. “Unhealthy SNAP-eligible foods undoubtedly perpetuate this health crisis – and on the taxpayer dime. The Healthy SNAP Act is a meaningful step forward to help Make America Healthy Again.
“I will continue to work with HHS Secretary Kennedy, Agriculture Secretary Rollins, and the rest of President Trump’s team to accomplish this.”
The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that eligible foods promote the health of SNAP recipients and reflect nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. The bill also requires a review of foods qualified under SNAP every five years to ensure that new and relevant nutrition data is reflected in SNAP food guidelines.
The purpose of SNAP is to alleviate hunger and improve the nutrition and health of eligible recipients. Nutrient-poor products like sugary sodas do not alleviate hunger nor do they improve nutrition.
“American tax dollars should not be used to pay for junk food and endanger the health of the most vulnerable Americans,” said Lee. “The fastest way to Make America Healthy Again is to encourage balanced diets and stop subsidizing unhealthy food choices.
“The Healthy SNAP Act is a solid step forward in building a society where all families can be enjoy strength, health, and good nutrition.”
SNAP exists to provide nutritious food to low-income Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. More than 42 million people, roughly 1 in 8 Americans, are currently receiving SNAP benefits. However, more than 20% of all SNAP dollars are used to purchase soda, candy, desserts, and other junk food items, which is projected to total $240 billion over the next decade.
“The SNAP program should not prey on low-income populations by perpetuating the consumption of sugary drinks designed to be addictive filled with artificial additives,” said Vani Hari, founder of Food Babe & Truvani. “It’s time to use our SNAP dollars wisely, to incentivize and provide healthier options in low-income areas so all Americans can live healthier and longer.
“We need more government dollars going toward food that actually provides health rather than take it away – this starts with removing the junk.”
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