Texas Senate Passes Bill to Ban Junk Food Purchases with SNAP Benefits
The Texas Senate has approved a bill that would prohibit the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase junk food. Senate Bill 379, which passed with a 22-8 vote, aims to restrict SNAP recipients from buying items like soda, candy, chips, cookies, and energy drinks.
State Sen. Mayes Middleton, the bill’s author, emphasized the nutritional focus of SNAP, stating, “SNAP is supposed to be ‘nutritious food essential to health and well-being.’ Junk food is clearly not that, and is making people sick!”
The legislation defines junk food as items with little or no nutritional value. Supporters of the bill argue that it aligns SNAP purchases with basic nutrition standards and addresses rising obesity and diabetes rates in Texas.
“Taxpayer-funded junk food turns into taxpayer-funded healthcare,” Middleton noted, highlighting the connection between diet and healthcare costs.
If passed, the bill would prohibit the purchase of specific items using SNAP benefits, including soda, candy, chips, cookies, and energy drinks containing at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces. Milk, infant formula, and fruit or vegetable juices without added sugar would still be allowed.
Critics of the bill have raised concerns about implementation challenges and potential stigma against low-income individuals. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez pointed out the prevalence of processed foods and the existence of “food deserts” as potential obstacles.
The bill now heads to the Texas House for approval. If signed into law, it would require a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement the restrictions. Sen. Middleton acknowledged the unprecedented nature of this request, stating, “They have not been granted before, so this is a big change in policy, and they want to see the states … ask for these waivers.”
Advocacy groups like Make Texans Healthy Again (MTHA) have praised the bill. MTHA founder Travis McCormick said, “Health isn’t just about what we eat—it’s about what we don’t eat… This bill aligns SNAP purchases with basic nutrition standards and helps protect our most vulnerable Texans from being trapped in a cycle of poor health and rising healthcare costs.”
If approved by the USDA, the restrictions could take effect in September 2025. The outcome of this bill could set a precedent for similar legislation in other states and at the federal level.