(HELENA,)– Governor Greg Gianforte announced on Tuesday that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins signed the State of Montana’s waiver to ban soft drinks, junk food, and candy from the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In March, Gov. Gianforte submitted a waiver to USDA to restrict SNAP purchases to healthy, nutritious foods.
“This waiver is a critical step in addressing the growing concern of diet-related chronic conditions across our state,” Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton said. “By aligning SNAP purchases with national dietary guidelines, we are directly supporting Montana’s goal to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks, candy, and other foods that contribute to adverse health outcomes, including obesity and Type 2 diabetes.”
The approved waiver introduces categories for restricted items, including a standardized definition of candy and prepared desserts, such as packaged snack cakes, while specifically protecting access to protein bars and fresh baked goods. The waiver also targets high-sugar beverages exceeding 10 grams of sugar per 8 ounces and energy drinks.
