Healthy SNAP Act of 2023
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (28 Jul 2023): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
What this bill does
H.R. 4058, the Healthy SNAP Act of 2023, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change what counts as "food" for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Rather than allowing nearly all food items (except alcohol and tobacco) to be purchased with SNAP benefits, the bill would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts such as cakes, pies, and cookies. It would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations, within 180 days of enactment, designating which foods qualify for purchase based on nutritional value, public health considerations, and cultural eating patterns, while limiting fat, sugar, and salt content where practicable. The Secretary would be required to review and update this list at least every five years, and states could substitute nutritionally equivalent foods to accommodate cultural diets, with USDA approval.
The bill would primarily affect SNAP recipients, who would face new restrictions on which food items they can purchase with benefits, as well as USDA, which would gain new regulatory responsibilities, and state agencies administering SNAP.
The bill was introduced on June 13, 2023, by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) with several cosponsors, and was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Healthy SNAP Act of 2023
This bill amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to redefine the foods eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.
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.
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.
Timeline
28 Jul 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4058 do?
- H.R. 4058, the Healthy SNAP Act of 2023, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change what counts as "food" for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Rather than allowing nearly all food items (except alcohol and tobacco) to be purchased with SNAP benefits, the bill would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts such as cakes, pies, and cookies. It would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations, within 180 days of enactment, designating which foods qualify for purchase based on nutritional value, public health considerations, and cultural eating patterns, while limiting fat, sugar, and salt content where practicable. The Secretary would be required to review and update this list at least every five years, and states could substitute nutritionally equivalent foods to accommodate cultural diets, with USDA approval. The bill would primarily affect SNAP recipients, who would face new restrictions on which food items they can purchase with benefits, as well as USDA, which would gain new regulatory responsibilities, and state agencies administering SNAP. The bill was introduced on June 13, 2023, by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) with several cosponsors, and was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 118th Congress.
- Has H.R. 4058 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4058. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4058?
- H.R. 4058 was sponsored by Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2] (R-OK), with 7 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4058?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture. (28 Jul 2023).
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