The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved a request from the South Carolina Department of Social Services to launch a “demonstration project” that changes what can be bought with SNAP benefits.
Starting August 31, 2026, South Carolina will implement a statewide ban on using SNAP benefits to purchase candy, energy drinks, and sugary beverages. This pilot program will run for two years.
What is Changing?
South Carolina is amending the definition of “eligible food” to exclude specific items. However, the state has provided generous exemptions that keep many popular items eligible.
| Category | ❌ No Longer Eligible (Banned) | ✅ Still Eligible (Allowed) |
|---|---|---|
| Sodas & Sweet Drinks | ❌ Soft Drinks: Any carbonated beverage with added sugar (more than 5g). ❌ Sweetened Beverages: Any drink with added sugar ready for consumption (e.g., fruit punches, sweet tea). | ✅ Sports Drinks: The waiver explicitly exempts “Sports or rehydration beverages” (like Gatorade/Powerade). ✅ Milk & Dairy: Milk, soy, and rice drinks are allowed. ✅ Carbonated Water: Plain sparkling water is allowed. ✅ Juice: Blends with 50% or more fruit/vegetable juice. |
| Energy Drinks | ❌ High Caffeine: Any drink with more than 65mg of caffeine per 8oz that claims to provide “metabolic stimulation” or energy. | ✅ Coffee & Tea: The ban explicitly excludes coffee and tea. You can still buy bottled coffee drinks and tea-based beverages. ✅ Low Caffeine: Drinks with lower caffeine content that aren’t marketed as “energy” boosters. |
| Candy & Sweets | ❌ Candy Rack Items: Bars, drops, or pieces made of sugar/chocolate/fruit/nuts. (e.g., Snickers, Skittles, Gummies). | ✅ Bakery Items: Cookies, cakes, brownies, muffins, and pastries are allowed. ✅ Baking Ingredients: South Carolina specifically allows chocolate chips, sprinkles, and melting wafers. ✅ Snack Bars: Protein bars and granola bars are explicitly allowed. |
Who is Affected?
Everyone who shops with SNAP in South Carolina will be affected by these rules. You cannot opt-out or choose to skip this program. It will be automatically applied to all EBT purchases in the state.
Critical Details You Need to Know
While this pilot program introduces new rules, the approval document also establishes specific protections for SNAP recipients:
You can still shop in other states. Because South Carolina shares borders with Georgia and North Carolina, the state will study whether shoppers travel out of state to bypass these restrictions. The letter clearly states that out-of-state transactions will not be used as an indicator of fraud. You retain the right to use your EBT card in any state you choose without risking your eligibility.
You can decline to participate in research activities. To determine if the ban works, the state will conduct surveys and interviews about your eating habits. You are under no obligation to participate. The terms specify that all data collection is voluntary. You can opt out of these surveys and refuse to answer questions about your diet without any penalty to your monthly benefits.
How to Prepare
The South Carolina rules are unique because they ban “soda” but allow “sports drinks” and “bakery items.” Here is how to get ready before these changes go into effect.
- Prepare for a caffeine swap. If you rely on energy drinks, start testing other beverages (like Mountain Dew or other bottled drinks) with lower caffeine content. These remain SNAP-eligible. Find a brand you like now so you have a backup ready for 2026.
- Shift to bakery treats. You won’t be able to buy a candy bar at the register, but you can buy a cookie from the aisle. Start buying your sweets from the bakery aisle rather than the candy rack. These items are explicitly protected under the “Bakery or Bread Products” exemption.
- Bake at home. South Carolina is one of the few states that allows baking ingredients. You can keep buying chocolate chips, sprinkles, and toffee bits. If you have a sweet tooth, consider buying these baking staples to make your own trail mixes or treats at home, which is cheaper and fully legal under the new rules.
Relief Recap
South Carolina’s restrictions are much more lenient than other proposals. While soda and candy bars are out, the state has preserved your ability to buy sports drinks, granola bars, chocolate chips, and all bakery items (cookies/brownies). Additionally, this change does not happen until August 2026. Your benefits are secure, and you will not be penalized for shopping in Georgia or North Carolina if you choose to do so.
This article was drafted with AI assistance and fully fact-checked by Nicole Thelin. Learn more about our Responsible AI Use Policy.