KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Starting in 2026, Tennesseans on SNAP will no longer be able to use their benefits to buy sodas or some other high-calorie foods with sugar or similar substances as the main ingredient.
On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture approved Tennessee’s waiver that will exclude sodas and some prepared foods from SNAP. Tennessee applied for the waivers earlier in the year, saying the changes would allow SNAP recipients to buy hot prepared chicken but would prevent them from spending their benefits on items where the primary ingredient is sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup or other high-calorie alternatives. It would also prevent them from spending the benefits on drinks where the first two ingredients are carbonated water and sugar/high-fructose corn syrup/similar alternatives.
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U.S.Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced approval of Tennessee’s waiver as well as waivers submitted by Hawai’i, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia.
“President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose – nutrition. Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic diseases epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long,” said Rollins. “With these new waivers, we are empowering states to lead, protecting our children from the dangers of highly-processed foods.”…