The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved six new state waivers under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative to tighten nutritional standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The covered states include Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

A joint announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The waivers will allow states to redefine what foods qualify for purchase with SNAP benefits beginning in 2026, with an emphasis on restricting highly processed and unhealthy items.

Rollins said the changes advance the goal of restoring SNAP’s core purpose of nutrition and addressing chronic disease by guiding families toward healthier food choices. Kennedy added that reform is necessary to avoid taxpayer spending on foods that contribute to illness and the healthcare costs that follow. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz praised the approvals as part of a broader, whole-of-government strategy to combat obesity.

Governors from the participating states voiced strong support, describing the waivers as tools for improving public health, strengthening families and ensuring taxpayer dollars support nutritious food purchases. With these additions, 12 states now have similar SNAP waivers set to take effect in 2026. Previous waivers were approved in Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Utah.

Read more about the pending changes to SNAP benefits here.