Nashville, TN (WOKI) A bill that would limit SNAP benefits for junk food has failed in Tennessee.

Earlier in March, the Tennessee House passed a bill that would place limits on buying junk food using SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The Tennessee Healthy SNAP Act would have required the Tennessee Department of Human Services to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowing the state to end benefits for candy and soft drinks, like soda.

“The purpose of SNAP is to provide food security and nutrition to low-income Americans,” Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) said. “There is no nutritional value to candy or soft drinks, and these goods should not be purchased with public funds in Tennessee. The Tennessee Health SNAP Act will help further the nationwide campaign to make America healthy again while ensuring this important benefit is used wisely in our state by residents who rely on it.”

The bill failed in the legislature Wednesday but has been moved to the 2026 legislative calendar.