By Jahaura Michelle
Balvity
https://blavity.com/
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking steps towards promoting healthier eating through the Make America Healthy Again initiative, launched during the Trump administration. Recently, the USDA has granted waivers to four states, lifting certain restrictions on what recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can purchase with their benefits.
Which states will receive SNAP restriction waivers?
Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming are four of the 18 states that had restrictions on SNAP purchases. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins signed these waivers, advocating for individuals and companies in the private sector to offer healthier food options, as noted in reports from Grocery Dive and USA Today.
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“The Make America Healthy Again movement has brought together the private sector, including retailers, the medical community, farmers, ranchers, producers, and the media to play a key role in encouraging healthier families and healthier communities,” Rollins stated in a news release.
Rollins collaborates with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and creator of the initiative, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with Dr. Ben Carson, the national nutrition advisor at the USDA, to ensure that SNAP benefits are used to purchase nutritious foods.
What food items are banned in these states?
The ranges of restrictions under the waivers differ from state to state, with many prohibiting soft drinks, sodas, and candy from being obtained with SNAP benefits.
The following items are prohibited in each state’s SNAP food restriction waivers:
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Kansas prohibits SNAP users from buying candy and soft drinks.
Nevada forbids recipients from purchasing candy and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Ohio also restricts sugar-sweetened beverages.
Wyoming bars the purchase of sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages.
“For over 12 years, minimum stocking standards in retailers have been debated. This impending rule is practical, doable, and will provide families with new, more healthful choices no matter where they shop,” Carson mentioned in a news release.
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Each state has its own definition of banned items
President Donald Trump initiated the process of issuing waivers in 2025, despite no formal legislative changes, as per USA Today. This initiative is part of the USDA’s pilot project aimed at assessing the impact of excluding specific items from SNAP purchases.
Other states like Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia have also been granted waivers.
While certain states focus on candy and sodas, others highlight energy drinks or juice. Each state uniquely defines its banned items.
“Every state has their own definition of what is candy and what constitutes a sugary beverage. This means businesses with locations in various states must update their point-of-sale systems to comply with each state’s specific regulations,” explained Professor Tyson-Lord Gray from Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, as reported by USA Today.
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Although the waivers have not yet been codified into law, the Trump administration has encouraged states to seek out these waivers in order to secure funding as part of the Big Beautiful tax bill that was signed in July.
Key Takeaways
- The USDA issued waivers to four states regarding SNAP purchasing restrictions.
- States involved include Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming.
- Prohibited items include candy and sugar-sweetened beverages.
- The initiative aims to encourage healthier food options among consumers.
- Regulations vary from state to state, complicating compliance for multi-state businesses.
- The waivers are not yet law but are encouraged under recent administration policies.
FAQ
What is the Make America Healthy Again initiative?
This initiative aims to promote healthier eating habits for Americans and encourages the private sector to provide healthier food options.
Which states currently have SNAP restriction waivers?
Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming are among the states that received waivers from SNAP restrictions.
What types of food are banned under these waivers?
The waivers primarily ban candy and sugar-sweetened beverages from being purchased with SNAP benefits.
How do the restrictions differ between states?
Each state has its own definitions and lists of prohibited items, creating variability in regulations.
Are these waivers permanent?
No, the waivers have not yet been established as law, but states are encouraged to apply for them to receive funding.
