6 More States Approved for Waivers to Remove Unhealthy Foods from Snap Benefits

ABC News reported that six more states—Hawai’i, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee—have been approved for waivers under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) to remove certain unhealthy foods from eligible purchases. This move is part of a broader initiative called “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA), which aims to improve public health by restricting junk food purchases with SNAP benefits.

Background on MAHA Initiative

The MAHA program, announced in August 2025, was launched to address the chronic diseases epidemic. Under this initiative, states can amend their SNAP programs to prohibit certain processed and unhealthy foods from being purchased using food assistance benefits. Secretary Rollins stated, “President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose—nutrition.” He emphasized that these changes would help families live healthier lives.

Impact on Recipients

The new waivers allow states to restrict the purchase of unhealthy foods like soda and other processed items. This means that beneficiaries in approved states will no longer be able to use their SNAP benefits for such items. Secretary Rollins explained, “These waivers empower states to lead, protecting our children from the dangers of highly-processed foods.” The initiative is seen as a significant step towards achieving the goals outlined by the MAHA program.

Historical Context and Future Implications

This latest approval follows previous actions in other states. In August 2025, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, and West Virginia were among the first to receive waivers. Additionally, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah had already been granted similar provisions earlier this year.

The USDA’s initiative encourages state-driven solutions to strengthen federal nutrition programs.

Secretary Kennedy Jr., speaking at the Department of Agriculture on December 10, 2025, thanked the governors of these states for their leadership in SNAP reform. He stated, “We cannot continue a system that forces taxpayers to fund programs that make people sick and then pay a second time to treat the illnesses those very programs help create.” The initiative is expected to have significant implications on both public health and the administration’s broader policy goals.

As more states join this growing list, the impact on SNAP recipients’ purchasing habits will become increasingly noticeable. While some may see it as a positive step towards better nutrition, others might argue that these restrictions could limit access to essential dietary choices for low-income families. The full scope of these changes and their long-term effects remain to be seen.