Florida SNAP Restrictions: What to Expect in 2026

Florida is launching a two-year test program to see if changing SNAP rules can encourage healthier eating. Beginning April 20, 2026, the state will stop allowing SNAP to cover the cost of certain sugary snacks and drinks. The goal is to gather data on whether these restrictions lead to better health outcomes for residents.

Please note that the previous implementation date was January 1, 2026, but the USDA recently updated their guidance to reflect a delay. The new rules will now go into effect on April 20, 2026 instead.

Who is Affected?

This rule is statewide. If you use SNAP benefits in Florida, you are part of this program. Participation is mandatory, so there is no way to “opt-out” or skip this pilot. It applies to every purchase made with a Florida EBT card at any SNAP-authorized retailer.

What is Changing?

As of January 1, 2026, the checkout registers at grocery stores will be updated to block the items listed below. You will need to use cash, debit, or credit to buy:

• Soda: This includes all carbonated soft drinks that have added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Whether it is regular cola or diet soda, it is no longer eligible.
• Energy Drinks: Any beverage marketed for “energy” that has high caffeine (specifically, more than 65mg per 8oz). Brands like Monster, Red Bull, and Celsius fall into this category.
• Candy: This covers the usual suspects: chocolate bars, caramels, hard candies, and gummies. The state defines candy as “a product that involves the preparation of sugar or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, caramels, gummies, and hard candies or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.”
• Prepared Desserts: This restriction is unique to Florida. It bans pre-packaged, shelf-stable sweets meant to be eaten immediately. Examples include snack cakes (like Little Debbie or Hostess), donuts, packaged brownies, and shelf-stable cookies.

What Stays the Same

It is important to remember that this ban targets specific processed items, not your ability to cook or eat.

• Most food is still OK. You can use your SNAP card to purchase all the basics, including:
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat, poultry and fish
  • Dairy products
  • Breads and cereals
  • Seeds and plants that produce food you can eat
• Coffee & Tea: The “energy drink” ban does not apply to coffee or tea. You can still buy bottled Frappuccinos or iced teas, provided they are coffee/tea-based.
• Fruit Juice: Drinks are allowed if they contain more than 50% real fruit or vegetable juice.
• Sparkling Water: Carbonated water is specifically exempt from the new restrictions.
• Low Sugar Beverages: The state’s definition of soda does not include drinks that contain “less than five grams of added sugar.”

Things You Need to Know

There is a lot of information contained in Florida’s 8-page waiver approval from the USDA. Here are some of the highlights that you should know:

• Border Shopping: The state will record data on out-of-state transactions (e.g., shopping in Georgia). This is fully legal. You are allowed to use your benefits across state lines; the state is simply counting these trips for their report.
• Voluntary Feedback: You may be approached to complete surveys about your diet or shopping habits. Participation is 100% optional. Refusing to take a survey will not hurt your benefits.
• Data Privacy: While the state tracks shopping trends, reports to the federal government will use general statistics, not your personally identitying information.

How to Prepare

With the start date of January 1, 2026, you have plenty of time to adjust.

• Check the “Nutrition Facts” Panel, Not the Front Marketing can be tricky. A fruit drink might say juice on the front but only contain 5% juice.
• Check Your “Energy” Drinks: Flip the can over. If the label says “Energy Supplement” or shows a very high caffeine count, plan to pay cash for it.
• Plan to Bake in Bulk: If you rely on pre-packaged snack cakes for school lunches or treats, you might want to switch to buying bulk ingredients to make your own alternatives.
• Check Your Receipts: Check your receipt before you leave the store. If you see that you were charged cash for something that should have been covered by SNAP (like 100% juice), take it to the customer service desk immediately. The store needs to know if their system is mislabeling items.

Relief Recap

The basics of your grocery trip—meat, produce, dairy, and bread—are not changing. This rule only affects soda, candy, energy drinks, and packaged desserts. You can even still buy the ingredients to bake sweets at home!

This article was drafted with AI assistance and fully fact-checked by Nicole Thelin. Learn more about our Responsible AI Use Policy.