US HB479

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to designate within 180 days which specific foods and food products qualify for purchase under SNAP benefits

Explicitly prohibits SNAP purchases of soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts such as cakes, pies, and cookies (in addition to existing bans on alcohol and tobacco)

Mandates that designated foods must contain nutrients lacking in American diets, promote health of SNAP recipients, and have appropriate fat, sugar, and salt content

Requires scientific review of approved food lists at least every 5 years to reflect current nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns

Allows state agencies to substitute culturally appropriate foods with Secretary approval, provided substitutes are nutritionally equivalent to designated foods