Bill · H.R. 7580· House(119-HR-7580)
Nutrition First Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/13/2026
- Last activity
- 2/13/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Sponsored by
- Anna Paulina Luna
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Nutrition First Act of 2026 aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It seeks to prohibit the purchase of nutritionally deficient foods using supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits. The bill changes the definition of "food or food product" to "eligible food." This new definition requires foods and beverages to meet nutritional standards set by the Secretary of Agriculture. Several categories of items, such as sugar-sweetened beverages and certain snacks, would be excluded from this definition. The changes are set to take effect 180 days after the Act is enacted.
Yes
Would children be better off under this?+4
The bill limits the purchase of high-sugar snacks and beverages that are often consumed by children.
The opposite
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-4
Restricting eligible food items may reduce the practical utility of nutrition assistance for low-income shoppers.
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?-3
The bill restricts the variety of foods eligible for purchase, which may reduce the purchasing power of low-income households.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Nutritional Standards: The bill establishes that "eligible food" must meet nutritional standards set by the Secretary of Agriculture (Section 2, subsection k-1). This ensures that the benefits are used for products that meet specific nutritional requirements.
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Restrictions on Unhealthy Items: The bill limits the use of benefits for items like sugar-sweetened beverages, candy preparations, and prepared desserts or snack foods (Section 2, subsection k-1, paragraphs 1, 2, and 4). This restricts the purchase of foods with high levels of added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat.
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Limiting Energy Drinks: The bill excludes energy drinks or beverages containing added sweeteners and marketed as energy drinks from being considered eligible food (Section 2, subsection k-1, paragraph 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Specific Beverages: Certain drinks, such as those containing sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, or honey, are excluded from the definition of "eligible food" unless they meet specific exceptions like containing milk or high percentages of fruit juice (Section 2, subsection k-1, paragraph 1).
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Restrictions on Snacks and Sweets: Specific food items like candy preparations (bars, drops, or pieces) and prepared desserts such as cakes, cookies, pastries, pies, or doughnuts are excluded from being considered "eligible food" (Section 2, subsection k-1, paragraphs 2 and 4).
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Restrictions on High-Sugar Carbonated Drinks: Beverages that list carbonated water and a caloric sweetener as the first two ingredients are excluded from the definition of "eligible food" (Section 2, subsection k-1, paragraph 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction-3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+4Good For Low Income Households-4
- 2/13/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House