S.1100 - Nutritious SNAP Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Nutritious SNAP Act of 2025 (S.1100) aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It seeks to modify the definition of 'food' under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill also allows state agencies to request waivers to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing foods deemed unhealthy by the state nutrition agency.
Expected Effects
The act could lead to a narrower range of food items eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. States could tailor SNAP to promote healthier eating habits among recipients. This could also create administrative challenges and potential debates over what constitutes 'unhealthy food'.
Potential Benefits
- Promotes healthier eating habits among SNAP recipients by limiting access to less nutritious food options.
- Allows states to tailor SNAP benefits to align with local nutritional priorities and public health goals.
- May reduce healthcare costs in the long term by encouraging healthier diets and preventing diet-related diseases.
- Could incentivize food manufacturers to produce healthier products to remain eligible for SNAP purchases.
- Empowers state agencies to address specific nutritional challenges within their populations.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could restrict food choices for SNAP recipients, potentially leading to resentment or difficulty in accessing affordable food.
- May create administrative burdens for state agencies in defining and enforcing the definition of 'unhealthy food'.
- Could disproportionately affect low-income individuals who rely on affordable, less nutritious options.
- May lead to inconsistencies in SNAP eligibility across different states, creating confusion and inequity.
- Potential for political influence in defining 'unhealthy food', leading to arbitrary or biased restrictions.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is primarily related to the General Welfare Clause (Preamble). This clause allows Congress to enact laws that promote the well-being of the population. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, which could justify allowing states to define 'unhealthy food'. However, potential challenges could arise under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment if the restrictions are deemed discriminatory or arbitrary.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).