Federal Approval for Montana’s SNAP Waiver on Candy and Soft Drinks

Jordan Hansen

The State of Montana has secured federal approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prohibit the purchase of soft drinks, junk food, and candy through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This decision aligns Montana with 22 other states that have adopted similar restrictions.

SNAP is a federal initiative managed by the USDA. In a press release, Governor Greg Gianforte expressed his commitment to making “bold steps to Make America Healthy Again,” emphasizing the importance of ensuring that taxpayer dollars are directed toward nutritious options that enhance health outcomes for those who depend on such programs.

To implement these restrictions, Montana submitted a waiver to the USDA earlier this year, requesting permission to exclude specific items from its SNAP list. The waiver specifically targets beverages containing over 10 grams of sugar per 8 ounces, as well as energy drinks. Additionally, it introduces new categories of restricted products and a standardized definition of candy and prepared desserts.

According to the Montana waiver, candy items are defined as:

“A shelf-stable preparation of sugar, honey, or other nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners, in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients, or flavorings, in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. Includes gelatin-based confections (gummies), licorice, hard candies, and compressed sugar pieces.”

However, the SNAP restrictions do not apply to meal replacement bars, protein bars, and baking ingredients, as well as fruit snacks made with real fruit and no added sugar, granola, trail mix, and similar products that are primarily nut- and/or real fruit-based.

Store-made bakery items are also exempt from these restrictions, although pre-packaged dessert snacks are not eligible for purchase through SNAP.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton stated, “This waiver is a critical step in addressing the growing concern of diet-related chronic conditions across our state. By aligning SNAP purchases with national dietary guidelines, we are directly supporting Montana’s goal to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks, candy, and other foods that contribute to adverse health outcomes, including obesity and Type 2 diabetes.”

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted the significance of this policy change, noting the importance of redirecting SNAP towards its core principle of nutrition. “We hope to sign waivers for all 50 states soon, and promote healthy foods for all Americans,” Rollins stated in a press release.

Earlier this year, some SNAP recipients filed a lawsuit against the USDA regarding the inclusion of sugary drinks. This case is currently pending in federal court and seeks to overturn the waivers.

Courtesy of Daily Montanan