The Donald Trump administration has announced that six more states, joining six others, are banning Americans from using SNAP benefits for soda, candy, and other processed and “junk foods.” Across all of these states, the change to SNAP benefits, also known as “food stamps,” will impact approximately 8.5 million people in low- and no-income households. As of 2024, more than 40 million people across the country received the allowance.
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On Monday (August 4), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., signed six new food choice state waivers to further advance President Trump’s efforts to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Per the USDA, “The signed waivers will amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, each commencing in 2026.” Before the six aforementioned states, Secretary Rollins previously signed waivers for Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. The signatures arrived between May and June.
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Speaking on the new feat, Secretary Rollins said:
“It is incredible to see so many states take action at this critical moment in our nation’s history and do something to begin to address chronic health problems. President Trump has changed the status quo, and the entire cabinet is taking action to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’ At USDA, we play a key role in supporting Americans who fall on hard times, and that commitment does not change. Rather, these state waivers promote healthier options for families in need.”
Per the USDA, at the direction of President Trump, Secretary Rollins has been ordered to ensure programs work harder to encourage healthy eating and improved lifestyle habits while protecting taxpayer dollars.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said:
“For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy—products that fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics. These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health. I thank the governors who have stepped up to request waivers, and I encourage others to follow their lead. This is how we ‘Make America Healthy Again.'”
Elsewhere, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said:
“I hope to see all 50 states join this bold commonsense approach. For too long, the root causes of our chronic disease epidemic has been addressed with lip service only. It’s time for powerful changes to our nation’s SNAP program. The goal is simple—reduce mass suffering from diabetes, obesity, and other long term medical conditions. I applaud the leadership of Secretaries Rollins and Kennedy, and President Trump in going bold.”
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