USDA Approves SNAP Waivers, Restricts Sugary Purchases Nationwide
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Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved six state waivers on Dec. 10 that will change the SNAP definition of “food for purchase” to exclude sugary beverages and select sweets, effective in 2026 in most states nationwide. States include Tennessee, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Hawai'i and Virginia; implementation dates vary with some set for April or October 2026 and others aligning with January start dates. USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited nutrition goals; critics warned of retailer compliance costs and possible price effects. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.
Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- August 2025: Tennessee governor submits waiver requests seeking to exclude sugary items from SNAP.
- September 29, 2025: Missouri files original waiver to classify certain foods as restricted SNAP items.
- November 4, 2025: Virginia requests amendment to exclude sweetened beverages from SNAP eligibility.
- December 10, 2025: USDA approves waivers for six states under the Make America Healthy Again initiative.
- 2026–2028: States implement changes on varied schedules; retailers update systems and states communicate changes to participants.
- Articles Published:
- 11
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 1
- Neutral:
- 9
- Distribution:
- Left 9%, Center 82%, Right 9%
State governments and public health officials who advocated for the waivers may benefit from claiming progress on nutrition and receiving federal support for implementation.
Low-income families and SNAP recipients may suffer reduced purchasing flexibility and face potential increased food costs and administrative hurdles at retailers.
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USDA Approves SNAP Waivers, Restricts Sugary Purchases Nationwide
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