HR7580-119

What This Bill Does

The Nutrition First Act amends the Food and Nutrition Act definition of SNAP food by replacing references to food or food product with eligible food and defining eligible food as food or beverages meeting nutritional standards established by USDA. The definition excludes several categories from SNAP eligibility: soda and other sugar-sweetened nonalcoholic beverages containing caloric sweeteners such as sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or honey; candy made from sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruit, nuts, or similar ingredients; high-sugar carbonated beverages listing carbonated water and a caloric sweetener as the first two ingredients; prepared desserts or snack foods such as cakes, cookies, pastries, pies, doughnuts, muffins, candy-coated snacks, or similar products with high added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat; and sweetened energy drinks marketed or labeled as energy drinks, including products with caffeine, taurine, guarana, or similar stimulants. The bill preserves exceptions for beverages containing milk or milk substitutes, beverages with more than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice, products that require preparation, candy-like products containing flour or requiring refrigeration, and drinks whose first sweetener ingredients are non-caloric.

Who Benefits and How

SNAP nutrition policymakers, public-health advocates, and retailers selling USDA-defined eligible staples benefit from a clearer federal nutrition standard for SNAP purchases and from reduced federal support for sugary drinks, candy, desserts, and energy drinks.

Who Bears the Burden and How

SNAP participants, grocery retailers, convenience stores, beverage manufacturers, candy manufacturers, prepared-dessert brands, energy-drink companies, USDA, and state SNAP agencies must adapt purchasing rules, point-of-sale eligibility systems, product classifications, and consumer choices.

Key Provisions

• Defines SNAP eligible food as food or beverages meeting nutritional standards established by USDA.
• Excludes soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages containing caloric sweeteners from SNAP eligibility.
• Excludes candy, high-sugar carbonated beverages, prepared sugary desserts and snacks, and sweetened energy drinks.
• Provides exceptions for milk or milk-substitute beverages, drinks over 50 percent juice, products needing preparation, flour-containing or refrigerated items, and non-caloric sweeteners.
• Requires USDA and state SNAP systems to classify covered foods and beverages under the new eligibility definition.