US Government Approves New SNAP Waivers: Six States to Restrict Unhealthy Food Purchases Under “Make America Healthy Again” Initiative
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a new set of waivers allowing six states to restrict the purchase of unhealthy food items under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The waivers were signed by Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as part of the federal initiative titled “Make America Healthy Again.” The newly approved states are Hawai‘i, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. These waivers will take effect in 2026 and are aimed at removing sugar-sweetened beverages, candy, processed snacks, and other ultra-processed foods from the list of items eligible to be purchased using SNAP benefits. According to the USDA, the purpose of the initiative is to ensure that taxpayer-funded nutrition support programs contribute to better public health outcomes. Authorities argue that chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease hav...