Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins signed six new SNAP food-choice waivers on August 4, 2025, at the Great American Farmers Market. Starting in 2026, recipients in West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas can no longer use benefits for soda, candy, or other junk food. These waivers align with President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative and advance collaboration between USDA and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
USDA has now approved SNAP waivers in twelve states including Iowa, Indiana, Utah, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Idaho. The waivers amend the statutory definition of “food for purchase,” restricting sugary beverages, snacks, and other ultra-processed items beginning in 2026.
Secretary Rollins framed the action as a taxpayer‑protection measure. She emphasized that SNAP should focus on nutrition rather than subsidizing sugar-fueled chronic disease risks like diabetes and obesity. HHS Secretary Kennedy echoed that sentiment, calling the reform essential to reduce public health burdens.
Governors of participating states praised the move as commonsense reform. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds confirmed the ban on soft drinks, candy, and other taxable food items effective January 1, 2026. “I appreciate the Trump Administration’s focus on improving the health of Americans and am proud that Iowa was the first state in the country to submit a waiver to pilot a Healthy SNAP initiative,” Reynolds commented.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis cited improved lifelong health outcomes for SNAP families. Landry shared, “Today, because of the leadership of President Trump, Secretary Rollins, and Secretary Kennedy, Louisiana’s SNAP program just became much stronger and healthier, benefiting children and families for generations to come. Gone are the days of taxpayers subsidizing unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits.”
The initiative faces legal constraints: the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act currently allows most food products to be purchased with SNAP. Restricting items requires either state waivers or Congressional action. Past waiver requests have been denied over concerns about complexity and inconsistent definitions.
This effort builds on earlier executive steps by Secretary Rollins, including requiring states to share real-time SNAP data under Executive Order 14243, which targets waste, fraud, and abuse.
