The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved a request from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to launch a “demonstration project” that significantly restricts what can be purchased with SNAP benefits.
Starting February 15, 2026, Oklahoma will implement a statewide ban on using SNAP benefits to purchase “candy” and “soft drinks.” This pilot program will run for between two and five years.
Please note that this program has been delayed. The original plan was to start the restrictions on January 1, 2026.
What is Changing?
Oklahoma is amending the definition of “eligible food” to exclude two broad categories. This state has also been more diligent about closing loopholes that other states left open.
| Category | ❌ No Longer Eligible (Banned) | ✅ Still Eligible (Allowed) |
|---|---|---|
| Sodas & Drinks | ❌ Soft Drinks: Any non-alcoholic beverage with natural or artificial sweeteners. This includes Soda, Pop, and Cola. ❌ Sports & Energy Drinks: The ban explicitly includes sports drinks (like Gatorade/Powerade) and Energy Drinks (carbonated or not). ❌ Sweetened Tea: Bottled or canned teas and lemonades that contain sweeteners. ❌ Flavored Water: Any water with added sweeteners. | ✅ Milk & Dairy: Milk, milk substitutes (soy, rice, almond), and dairy-based drinks are exempt (likely saving things like chocolate milk or bottled lattes). ✅ Juice: Beverages containing more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice. ✅ Unsweetened: Plain coffee and unsweetened tea. |
| Candy & Sweets | ❌ Candy Bars: Chocolate bars, gummies, hard candies, caramels, taffy, licorice, mints, and gum. ❌ The “Kit Kat” Rule: Unlike other states, Oklahoma specifically bans candy containing flour (listing Kit Kat and Twix by name as banned items). | ✅ Bakery Items: The ban excludes “baked goods.” This means cookies, cakes, muffins, brownies, pastries, and breads are allowed. ✅ Baking Ingredients: Items “primarily identified” as bakery products are safe. |
Who is Affected?
Everyone who shops with SNAP in Oklahoma will be affected by this change. The waiver specifically states that this will apply to the entire Oklahoma SNAP population.
You cannot choose to skip this restrictions. There is no way to opt-out. They apply automatically to all EBT purchases in the state.
Critical Details You Need to Know
The official USDA approval letter outlines several protections and tracking measures:
Out-of-state shopping is still allowed. The document clearly states, “Clients’ out of State transactions will not be used as a primary indicator of fraud or negatively impact SNAP eligibility.” You will not be penalized for shopping across the border.
Out-of-state shopping is being tracked. The state will monitor transactions made in border states (Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado) to see if people are crossing state lines to buy banned items.
You don’t have to complete the surveys. The state will use surveys, interviews, and dietary recalls to see if the ban is working. Participation in these is voluntary. You can opt out of the surveys without affecting your benefits.
How to Prepare
Oklahoma’s definitions are strict, but clear distinctions remain:
- Calculate Your “cash gap.” Grab your last three grocery receipts. Highlight every soda, energy drink, Gatorade, and candy bar you bought. Add up the total cost. This number is your “Cash Gap.” It is the amount of actual money you will need to budget per month starting in 2026 if you want to keep consuming these products. Seeing this number now gives you time to adjust your budget.
- Start looking for alternatives now. Many popular “fruit punches” (like SunnyD or Hi-C) are often less than 10% juice and will be banned. Start reading labels today. Look for the small print that says “Contains __% Juice.” Your goal is to find affordable brands that contain 51% or more juice that your family actually likes. Switch to these brands now so the change doesn’t feel sudden later.
- Change your treat routine. If you are used to grabbing a candy bar at the checkout lane, that option will disappear. Start browsing the Bakery Aisle instead. A box of chocolate chip cookies or store-baked muffins are fully legal under the new rules. Start buying your “sweets” from this aisle now so your family gets used to bakery treats instead of candy bars.
Relief Recap
While Oklahoma’s ban is stricter than some others (covering sports drinks and flour-based candy bars), it does not start until January 1, 2026. Importantly, the “Bakery” exemption is broad—meaning cookies, cakes, and brownies remain completely SNAP-eligible. Additionally, your ability to shop in Texas, Kansas, or other border states remains protected and will not trigger fraud alerts on your account.
This article was drafted with AI assistance and fully fact-checked by Nicole Thelin. Learn more about our Responsible AI Use Policy.
I understand the importance of health, but what happened to freedom of choice? I have lost family members who fought to keep our country free. Most of my family have served this country and as I said we lost some loved ones doing so. I think freedom of speech, freedom to read a book, freedom, to watch a movie. Freedom in what music we listen to, all of this and so much more, it matters. What’s next, will we be told what to wear, what to read, what we are allowed to say? This is wrong. And yes, I know taxpayers are paying the bill for snap. But I have worked my whole adult life paying in to such things, now I can’t work and I’m waiting to get approved for disability. So, I’m not allowed to have a soft drink anymore because you say so??? No, I just don’t agree, infact this worries me very much. What’s next?
Thank you for sharing your perspective—and for your family’s service. You’re not alone in feeling concerned about personal freedom. Many people are worried about where these kinds of restrictions could lead. We just want to make sure everyone has the info they need to stay informed and speak up if they choose.