The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved a request from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to launch a “demonstration project” that changes what can be bought with SNAP benefits.
Starting April 1, 2026, Texas will implement a statewide ban on using SNAP benefits to purchase “sweetened drinks” and “candy.” This pilot program will run for two years.
What is Changing?
Texas is amending the definition of “eligible food” to exclude two specific categories. The state is using definitions from the Texas Administrative Code to draw the line between what is allowed and what is banned.
| Category | ❌ No Longer Eligible (Banned) | ✅ Still Eligible (Allowed) |
|---|---|---|
| Sodas & Drinks | ❌ Sugary Drinks: Any non-alcoholic beverage with 5 grams or more of added sugar. ❌ Diet Drinks: Texas bans beverages with “any amount of artificial sweetener.” This means Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and other zero-calorie sodas are BANNED. ❌ Sweet Tea: If it has added sugar or artificial sweetener, it is out. | ✅ Milk & Dairy: Milk, milk products, and milk substitutes (soy, rice, almond) are exempt. ✅ Juice: Beverages with more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice. ✅ Plain Water: Unsweetened water is allowed. |
| Candy & Sweets | ❌ Confections: Any candy made with natural or artificial sweeteners.(Examples: Candy bars, gum, taffy, caramels, gummies). ❌ Candy-Coated Items: Nuts, raisins, or fruits that are candied, glazed, or coated in chocolate/yogurt. | ✅ Cooking Ingredients: The ban explicitly excludes products used exclusively for cooking. (Examples: Chocolate chips, cake sprinkles, and baking bits are Allowed). ✅ Snack Items: Items defined as “snack items” in the tax code (likely chips/pretzels) are generally allowed unless they are candied. |
Who is Affected?
Everyone shops with SNAP in Texas will be affected by these changes. There is no way to opt-out or skip this new project. The restrictions will apply automatically to all SNAP purchases in the state of Texas.
Critical Things to Know
While this pilot program introduces new rules, the approval document contains some other interesting information that people aren’t talking about enough.
You can still shop in other states. Texas shares borders with New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The letter explicitly states that out-of-state transactions will not be used as an indicator of fraud. You retain the right to shop in neighboring states without risking your eligibility.
The state will monitor any out-of-state purchases. The state will track transactions in these border areas. They want to know if people are deliberately driving to other areas to get around these new restrictions.
You don’t have to participate in the research. The state may ask you to take surveys or answer questions but you don’t have to do so. The terms specify that all data collection is voluntary. You can opt out of these surveys without any penalty to your benefits.
How to Prepare
Texas’s rules are particularly strict on beverages (banning both sugary and diet sodas). Here is how to get ready:
- Look for unsweetened alternatives. If you drink Diet Coke, Crystal Light, or zero-sugar energy drinks, these will likely be banned. Start looking for unsweetened alternatives like sparkling water (LaCroix, Bubly) or plain tea now, as these remain eligible.
- Make your own treats at home. You can’t buy a candy bar, but you can buy the parts to make one. The ban specifically allows “chocolate bits” (chips) and “cake sprinkles” because they are for cooking. If you need a sweet treat, buy a bag of chocolate chips from the baking aisle instead of a candy bar from the checkout lane.
- Check your juice. The Action: Read the labels on fruit punches. If it has 5 grams or more of added sugar and is less than 50% juice, it is banned. Switch to 100% juice brands or blends that list juice as the main ingredient.
Relief Recap
While Texas has proposed one of the strictest bans (covering even diet sodas), remember that baking ingredients are safe. You can still buy chocolate chips, sprinkles, and baking supplies to make treats at home. Additionally, dairy-based drinks and 100% juices remain fully eligible. You have until April 2026 to prepare, and your right to shop across state lines remains protected by federal rules.
This article was drafted with AI assistance and fully fact-checked by Nicole Thelin. Learn more about our Responsible AI Use Policy.
