SNAP junk food ban expands to Missouri
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Six more states, including Missouri, are set to ban the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for junk food under new deals with the Trump administration.
Why it matters: The move expands the Trump administration's use of the federal safety net to advance its "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.
The big picture: More SNAP recipients will be restricted from buying certain sugary drinks and food.
Driving the news: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Wednesday unveiled the deals with Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
- "We all know we're at the point where we must do something to correct the chronic health problems that Americans face," Rollins said. Twelve states previously adopted waiver terms.
- Mehmet Oz, who runs Medicare and Medicaid, said states that ban junk food will get extra funds. "As the six documents here that were signed by Secretary Rollins today would attest, there's a lot of interest in this, you get paid extra money."
Zoom in: Missouri's waiver will prohibit SNAP purchases of candy, prepared desserts, soda, beverage mixes and juices or drink concentrates with 50% or less of natural fruit or vegetable juice.
- Most states' implementation date is Jan. 1. However, according to the waiver request, Missouri anticipates implementing the change on Oct. 1.
- Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe praised the waiver approval in a statement, saying the state is "proud to partner with the Trump administration" as it works to "refocus SNAP to maximize nutritional health for families."
By the numbers: According to the USDA, more than 660,000 people in Missouri across more than 324,000 households benefited from the SNAP Program as of June.
- SNAP served about 42 million people per month in fiscal year 2024, or 12% of U.S. residents, per USDA data.
Catch up quick: Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it would pause aid for Democratic-led states that don't provide the government with identifying information about SNAP recipients such as immigration status.
- The announcement followed millions of recipients being held in limbo during the longest-ever government shutdown.
Go deeper: SNAP is back, but with work requirements as Trump admin signals major changes