Healthy SNAP Act of 2023
Latest action (9 May 2023): Introduced
What this bill does
The Healthy SNAP Act of 2023 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change what items can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts such as cakes, pies, and cookies from the definition of "food" eligible for purchase, in addition to the currently excluded alcohol and tobacco. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations, within 180 days of enactment, designating specific foods and food products eligible under SNAP, based on nutrition research, public health considerations, and cultural eating patterns, while limiting fat, sugar, and salt content where practicable. It also requires prepared meals sold under SNAP to meet these nutritional standards, and requires the Secretary to review and update the list of designated foods at least every five years. States could request approval to substitute culturally appropriate foods that are nutritionally equivalent.
The bill would primarily affect SNAP recipients, who could see changes in the types of food items purchasable with benefits, as well as retailers and food manufacturers whose products may or may not qualify under the new designations. State agencies administering SNAP would also be affected, as they would need to seek federal approval for certain food substitutions.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 9, 2023, by Senator Marco Rubio and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not received a vote and, according to available records, has seen no further action since its introduction.
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.
Common questions
- What does S. 1485 do?
- The Healthy SNAP Act of 2023 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change what items can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts such as cakes, pies, and cookies from the definition of "food" eligible for purchase, in addition to the currently excluded alcohol and tobacco. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations, within 180 days of enactment, designating specific foods and food products eligible under SNAP, based on nutrition research, public health considerations, and cultural eating patterns, while limiting fat, sugar, and salt content where practicable. It also requires prepared meals sold under SNAP to meet these nutritional standards, and requires the Secretary to review and update the list of designated foods at least every five years. States could request approval to substitute culturally appropriate foods that are nutritionally equivalent. The bill would primarily affect SNAP recipients, who could see changes in the types of food items purchasable with benefits, as well as retailers and food manufacturers whose products may or may not qualify under the new designations. State agencies administering SNAP would also be affected, as they would need to seek federal approval for certain food substitutions. The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 9, 2023, by Senator Marco Rubio and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not received a vote and, according to available records, has seen no further action since its introduction.
- Has S. 1485 become law?
- Not yet. As of 9 May 2023, S. 1485 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1485?
- S. 1485 was sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio [R-FL, 2011-2025] (Republican-FL), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1485?
- Introduced (9 May 2023).
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