§2. Amendments
This section amends the definitions section of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by (1) replacing “food or food product” with “eligible food” each place it appears in subsection (k), and (2) inserting new subsection (k–1) to define “eligible food” as a food or beverage meeting nutritional standards established by the Secretary of Agriculture, excluding (A) sugar-sweetened beverages commonly known as soda or nonalcoholic beverages containing caloric sweeteners (excluding beverages containing milk or milk substitutes, those with more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice, or products requiring preparation before consumption); (B) candy preparations consisting of sugar, honey, or other sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruit, nuts, or other ingredients in bar, drop, or piece form (excluding items containing flour or requiring refrigeration); (C) high-sugar beverages listing carbonated water plus a caloric sweetener as the first two ingredients (excluding those with non-caloric sweeteners such as aspartame as the first two ingredients); (D) prepared desserts or snack foods such as cakes, cookies, pastries, pies, doughnuts, muffins, or candy-coated snacks with high levels of added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat; and (E) energy drinks or similar beverages containing added sweeteners and marketed as energy drinks (including those with stimulants such as caffeine, taurine, or guarana). (Thus, the changes limit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit purchases—previously allowed for most foods and food products excluding items such as alcohol, tobacco, and hot prepared foods—to healthier options meeting USDA standards.)