Healthy SNAP Act of 2025
Latest action (16 Jan 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
**What the bill would do:** H.R. 479 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change how "food" is defined for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Currently, nearly all food items except alcohol and tobacco can be purchased with SNAP benefits. This bill would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts (such as cakes, pies, and cookies) from that definition and require the Secretary of Agriculture to affirmatively designate, by regulation, which foods qualify for SNAP purchase. The Secretary would have 180 days after enactment to issue these regulations, must consider nutrition science, public health, and cultural eating patterns, and must review and update the list at least every five years. States could seek USDA approval to substitute culturally appropriate foods deemed nutritionally equivalent.
**Who it affects:** The change would directly affect SNAP recipients, who make up a substantial share of low-income households nationwide, by narrowing the range of items purchasable with benefits. It would also require action by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP, and by state agencies that implement the program and may request food substitutions.
**Where it stands:** The bill was introduced on January 16, 2025, by Rep. Josh Brecheen and several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not yet been voted on. For the bill to become law, it would need committee action, passage by the House and Senate, and the President's signature.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Healthy SNAP Act of 2025
This 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.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 479 do?
- **What the bill would do:** H.R. 479 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change how "food" is defined for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Currently, nearly all food items except alcohol and tobacco can be purchased with SNAP benefits. This bill would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts (such as cakes, pies, and cookies) from that definition and require the Secretary of Agriculture to affirmatively designate, by regulation, which foods qualify for SNAP purchase. The Secretary would have 180 days after enactment to issue these regulations, must consider nutrition science, public health, and cultural eating patterns, and must review and update the list at least every five years. States could seek USDA approval to substitute culturally appropriate foods deemed nutritionally equivalent. **Who it affects:** The change would directly affect SNAP recipients, who make up a substantial share of low-income households nationwide, by narrowing the range of items purchasable with benefits. It would also require action by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP, and by state agencies that implement the program and may request food substitutions. **Where it stands:** The bill was introduced on January 16, 2025, by Rep. Josh Brecheen and several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not yet been voted on. For the bill to become law, it would need committee action, passage by the House and Senate, and the President's signature.
- Has H.R. 479 become law?
- Not yet. As of 16 Jan 2025, H.R. 479 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 479?
- H.R. 479 was sponsored by Rep. Josh Brecheen [R-OK2] (Republican-OK), with 12 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 479?
- Introduced (16 Jan 2025).
Related bills in Agriculture and Food
Recognizing September 17, 2026, as National Teach Ag Day.
Food for Thought Act of 2026
American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026
ROMA Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.