BATON ROUGE – A bill introduced in the Louisiana House of Representatives aims to restrict the types of food that can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. House Bill 260, authored by Representative Romero, seeks to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits to buy certain unhealthy snack foods, including sugary, salty, and high-fat items.

The bill, filed for the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, cites concerns about the health and well-being of Louisiana’s children as a key motivation. Lawmakers argue that the current availability of unhealthy snack foods to SNAP recipients undermines efforts to promote healthier diets among low-income families.

If passed, the bill would add a new section to the state’s Revised Statutes—R.S. 46:302—which defines “unhealthy snack food” as including, but not limited to:

Sugary items such as candies, cookies, cakes, and sweetened beverages

Salty snacks like chips, pretzels, and other high-sodium processed foods

High-fat foods including fried foods, pastries, and packaged snack cakes

The legislation directs the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to develop and implement rules to enforce the restrictions. Additionally, the department would be tasked with collaborating with healthcare professionals, nutritionists, and other experts to create educational materials for SNAP recipients. These resources would inform families, children, and caregivers about healthier snack alternatives that can be purchased using SNAP benefits.

Supporters of the bill argue that it promotes better nutrition and long-term health outcomes for families relying on public assistance. Critics, however, may raise concerns about government overreach and the challenges of defining and enforcing what qualifies as “unhealthy” food.

As the legislative session progresses, the proposal will be subject to committee review and potential amendments before reaching a full vote in the House.