The Tennessee House on Monday passed a bill that would limit junk food purchases made with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
As introduced, the bill enacts the “Tennessee Health SNAP Act,” which requires the department to submit a request for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture’s food and nutrition service to seek authorization to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of candy and soft drinks.
WVLT reported Monday that the bill was still in committee in the Senate.
Supporters of the act say it will lead to healthier food purchases. Opponents of the bill say it takes away choices from low-income people.