A measure prohibiting the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for the purchase of soda and candy has been approved by both the House and the Senate.
Senate Bill 379, initially passed in the House with a prohibition only on using SNAP benefits to purchase sweetened soft drinks, now includes candy once again after being added back to the legislation by the conference committee.
The legislation defines “candy” as “a candy ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation.”
When originally passed by the Senate, the legislation included potato chips, corn chips, cookies, and energy drinks. These groups, along with candy, were removed by the House.
“SB 379, which prohibits soda, sweetened drinks, and candy from being purchased with food stamps (SNAP), is on the way to the Governor’s desk!” wrote State Rep. Mayes Middleton, the legislation’s author, on X.
Taxpayer-funded soda and junk food turn into taxpayer-funded healthcare. This bill is a cornerstone of the Make America Healthy Again movement, and will go to our awesome Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, for implementation.
Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter in early May to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins formally requesting a waiver to prohibit the use of SNAP for purchasing candy and sweetened drinks.
“I look forward to the opportunities this approach will bring to improve the health and quality of life for low-income Texans,” wrote Abbot in the letter to Rollins.
The bill awaits the governor’s signature and a waiver from the USDA, which is required for it to take effect.
