STUDY OF THE USE OF FOOD STAMPS TO PURCHASE VITAMINS AND MINERALS.

SEC. 855. [7 U.S.C. 2026 note] STUDY OF THE USE OF FOOD STAMPS TO PURCHASE VITAMINS AND MINERALS. (a) In General.—The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the National Academy of Sciences and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, shall conduct a study on the use of food stamps provided under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) to purchase vitamins and minerals. (b) Analysis.—The study shall include— (1) an analysis of scientific findings on the efficacy of and need for vitamins and minerals, including— (A) the adequacy of vitamin and mineral intakes in low-income populations, as shown by research and surveys conducted prior to the study; and (B) the potential value of nutritional supplements in filling nutrient gaps that may exist in the United States population as a whole or in vulnerable subgroups in the population; (2) the impact of nutritional improvements (including vitamin or mineral supplementation) on the health status and health care costs of women of childbearing age, pregnant or lactating women, and the elderly; (3) the cost of commercially available vitamin and mineral supplements; (4) the purchasing habits of low-income populations with regard to vitamins and minerals; (5) the impact of using food stamps to purchase vitamins and minerals on the food purchases of low-income house-holds; and (6) the economic impact on the production of agricultural commodities of using food stamps to purchase vitamins and minerals. (c) Report.—Not later than December 15, 1998, the Secretary shall report the results of the study to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.