There’s a growing push to limit what people can buy with SNAP benefits. Some lawmakers say taxpayer money shouldn’t be used to buy unhealthy foods, while others argue that these limits would make it harder for families to get the food they need.
New SNAP Restrictions in 2026
This is the most up-to-date list of what states have started implementing restrictions, when those restrictions are supposed to begin, and a quick summary of what is being blocked in each state. For more details on exactly what each of those terms mean, please download your checklist or click the state name links in the table below.
UPDATE: The USDA has updated the implementation dates for several states. Instead of starting these restrictions on January 1, some states are postponing the implementation until later this year. We have listed the updated dates in red below for your convenience.
| State | Start Date | Summary of Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | July 1, 2026 | No purchase of soda, juice or drinks that have less than 50% natural juice. They are also banning “unhealthy drinks” and “candy.” |
| Colorado | March 1, 2026 | No soft drinks |
| Florida | April 20, 2026 | No soda, energy drinks, candy or prepared desserts |
| Hawaii | August 1, 2026 | No soft drinks |
| Idaho | February 15, 2026 | No soda or candy |
| Indiana | January 1, 2026 | No soft drinks or candy |
| Iowa | January 1, 2026 | No taxable food items (except food-producing plants or seeds) |
| Louisiana | February 18, 2026 | No soda, energy drinks or candy |
| Missouri | Oct 1, 2026 | No candy, prepared desserts, soda, or unhealthy beverages |
| Nebraska | January 1, 2026 | No soda or energy drinks |
| North Dakota | September 1, 2026 | No soft drinks, energy drinks or candy |
| Oklahoma | February 15, 2026 | No soft drinks, energy drinks or candy |
| South Carolina | August 31, 2026 | No energy drinks, candy bars or sweetened beverages |
| Tennessee | July 31, 2026 | No processed foods or beverages, no soda, energy drinks or candy |
| Texas | April 1, 2026 | No sweetened drinks or candy |
| Utah | January 1, 2026 | No soft drinks |
| Virginia | April 1, 2026 | No sweetened beverages |
| West Virginia | January 1, 2026 | No soda |
States Requesting SNAP Restrictions
Some states are still waiting for USDA approval to restrict SNAP purchases. The states below have expressed interest in these restrictions and are working on enacting those changes.
Kansas requested a waiver from USDA to exclude candy and soft drinks from SNAP. According to Topeka Capital-Journal, their rules define candy as any “preparation of sugar, honey or other sweeteners in combination with fruits, nuts or chocolate in the form of bars, drops or pieces.” Oddly, it excludes products that include flour and don’t require refrigeration, so Twinkies and KitKats are OK but granola bars are not. The complexity of the definitions in their rules is one possible reason why Kansas’ waiver has not been granted yet even though 18 other states have already received permission to move forward with their plans.
Ohio is seeking permission to ban the purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages. Some lawmakers claim that drinks like milk, juice and Pedialyte would not be impacted but it is not entirely clear.
States that Failed (For Now)
Shoppers in these states can rest a little easier, because their government has made active decisions to stop these bans from going into effect (unless they’re enacted at the federal level, anyway).
- Arizona nearly enacted HB2165, which would have banned soda purchases. However, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed it because she said that this bill would make SNAP shoppers “a new underclass of grocery shoppers.”
- Montana attempted to ban the purchase of soft drinks and candy, but SB 354 was tabled by the committee.
Federal Legislation
At the federal level, a bill called the Healthy SNAP Act would ban soda, candy, ice cream, cookies, and desserts from being purchased with EBT. It would also allow the USDA to create an approved food list that would be updated every five years.
This bill has not moved since February 13, 2025, when it was introduced. You can track its progress at Congress.gov.
Even if these restrictions don’t pass at the federal level, many states are already trying to impose their own limits on what SNAP recipients can buy.
What These Changes Could Mean for You
This is unprecedented territory. The USDA has never approved a state waiver that would restrict SNAP purchases before, so in many ways we don’t know what to expect.
However, the National Association fo Convenience Stores said that consumers should expect:
- Longer checkout times due to increased rules and complexity
- More conflicts between shoppers and cashiers due to confusion and uncertainty
- More expensive IT upgrades for Point of Sale systems
- Loss of revenue for stores in border towns as customers choose to shop in less restrictive states
The Bottom Line
Lawmakers are pushing for new restrictions on what SNAP benefits can buy. While some believe this promotes healthier choices, others worry it will make it harder for families to access food. The Healthy SNAP Act and several state-level bills could ban soda, candy, and processed foods from EBT purchases.
These changes aren’t final yet, but they could impact millions of SNAP recipients. Stay informed, speak up, and let your lawmakers know how you feel!
What do you think—should the government decide what people can buy with SNAP? Share your thoughts in the comments!
If the elites or the career politicians or “others” want to control what people purchase THAN they DEFINITELY MUST INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BENEFITS RECEIVED PERIOD!! It costs a small fortune now to purchase groceries & a COMPLETELY FULL fortune to purchase healthy foods. This is a FACT. Put your efforts into cleaning up the FDA Program which allows ALL FOOD IN STORES ARE OVERWHELMINGLY GMO’S, TOXINS, DYES & POISONOUS TO THE HUMAN BODY* People are forced to pay MORE MONEY to purchase “clean food” or from personal farmers that actually provide it. People must jump through gigantic hoops to eat well! Life is hard enough for the average person, much less for people with disabilities or just aren’t able to make the ends meet @the end of the month!
Our government is so corrupt and uncaring. I think their goal is to end the lives of the poor. They think we are just parasites to stamped out. But then who will do all the dirty work for the rich? This country has gone to hell. I’m a senior surviving on less then $1000 a month social security. What happened to caring for the poor and huddled masses. The cruelty, hate and disregard for human beings is disgusting. Too bad I can’t afford to move to another country. Plus, I just got a diagnosis of breast cancer. So hey one more parasite will possibly bite the dust. I’m sure that will comfort the rich and unchristian so called Christians!!!
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. What you’re feeling is completely valid, and no one should have to face that kind of hardship alone. You matter, and your voice matters. We’ll keep doing everything we can to share resources and information that might help.
Since soda and candy are so bad, people on SNAP are not allowed to buy them. What about the rest of America? Shouldn’t the government be working to eliminate over processed foods, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors? How are SNAP recipients expected to tell thier children they can’t have a soda, candy bar or sugary snack as a treat? This move instills in the minds of poor children that they are “less than”. If soda and candy is so bad, ban it for the whole country.
You bring up a powerful point. Many people have shared the same concern—that targeting SNAP recipients while leaving everyone else unaffected feels unfair and sends the wrong message to kids. Food choices are deeply personal, and this kind of policy can feel like it takes away dignity instead of offering support.
i hate to see regulations on what people can buy, esp. people who may be disabled or harried working mothers…but i have always been appalled at the huge, huge quantities of soda i see being stocked and being purchased at stores…yet read how bad it is for us all, diet style or regular, and we ARE an overweight society, even the kids…too bad, though, that real juice prices are pretty high. i am guessing soda pop is ridiculously cheap to produce, so those who make it are receiving a huge profit. i do know that those drinks are the most profitable at fast foods and restaurants. there are machines that are not real cheap, but that make fizzy drinks out of juices etc. it would be nice if the huge producers of sodas start making healthier drinks available at low prices, perhaps coming up with something that snap would allow. i also am appalled at seeing the equally huge quantities of bottled water. unless local drinking water is unsafe, how did millions of us grow up for generations without buying bottled water — not to mention discarding all those millions of plastic bottles. gee, what happened to public drinking fountains (bubblers if you’re in wisconsin)?
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful perspective. You’re right—this issue is complicated. There’s a real need to balance health goals with the everyday realities people face, especially those dealing with disabilities, low income, or family responsibilities. Access and affordability are huge factors that often get overlooked.
This is ridiculous since water has more or just as much harmful chemicals than all these processed foods. Even plant based foods have unhealthy ingredients. As usual it’s an attack on controlling the poor. The truth is this country doesn’t care about people at certain tax brackets except to steal from and slave to death and yes this is deliberately being done on purpose.
We hear your frustration, and you’re not alone. Many people feel that these kinds of restrictions unfairly target those who are already struggling. We share this information so people can stay informed and speak out if they choose. Everyone deserves access to food without shame or control.
To eat healthy food the food needs to be healthy to start with. The USA has the most poisioness food to begin with. Them coorporations are allowed to add their poisions for greedy profit. Get these poisions out of the food and we dont need to have this conversation! Stop using food as a control method. How about all these rules apply to everyone and see how fast this stops. This is way out of hand. Lay off the poor people and treat everyone as equals.
You’ve touched on something a lot of people are feeling—real concerns about what’s in our food and how policy choices can feel unfairly targeted. Everyone deserves access to safe, healthy food without being judged or controlled. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
States and judgy individuals need to stop trying to control what people eat. We are already poor, why do they want us to be miserable, too? People also get incensed when poor people have smart phones, too. As a person with debilitating chronic illness, (just bad luck with my genetics) I barely survive on SSI. I had to give up a promising career I worked hard for, and now have very few choices in my life. It’s nice to know I can treat myself to ice cream or buy a frozen chicken curry dinner. That said, I eat a diet mostly rich in green veggies- but you know what? I’m often too sick to cook or shop, and it would be nice to be able to purchase the spinach lasagna or beef stew from my organic food co-op’s hot bar. Since I can’t it means there are times I just go hungry because there’s no food to just heat up in the microwave. Good grief- people should be the Christians they claim to be and have compassion for people less fortunate than they.
Hello Sabrina, rely on he Lord and in all things give thanks and your luck will change. Give to others an it will come back 7 fold. Give with a cheerful heart for the Lord Loves a cheerful giver. Stat giving of your time work at a food pantry and what ever you can give to those most unfortunate. You ill be transformed, enriched, and happy. always had close to nothing but now I have, the neighbors have, I get food all the time, it happens to those who give from heir heart. No one will Father let starve unless they are not one of his.Let Jesus be the number one in your life. God bless you, Always
Amen!!!
You are so right. You worded it perfect, and I thank you…✅
I’m so sorry for what your going through I’m going through a similar situation only I’m still trying to get approved for SSDI almost 2 years anyway enough of that I just wanted to thank you for sharing it helps to know I’m not alone and now they want to control our diets I’m like you I eat as healthy as can but days I can’t walk it’s nice to grab and go I hope you’re doing well if you ever want to talk I’m here God Bless Christina
So sorry you hurt so much. I’m pretty much in the same boat. I went on ssi due to back issues. It was stupid. I just turned the wrong way while seated and ended up on the floor for half an hour mostly just crying out ” Ow, ow, ow”
Now I’m on regular social security due to reaching the retirement age.
I’m very lucky to have a daughter who helps me because my social security pretty much just pays my rent and for my pain medications.
I hope you have family that helps you out a bit too.
I’m on the section 8 waiting list which will help me a lot, but I think I still may be 1 1/2 to 2 years away from that help.
Do you have section 8 or are you on the list to get it? If not call your county and get on the list.
I miss the days when I could go into a store and buy new socks or underwear.
My daughter lives in another state and has come to visit twice this year.
When she comes she spends most of her time cleaning and cooking good meals and packing portions in small containers for the freezer. I slowly eat those within the following several months. I’m hoping for assistance with cleaning and cooking so when she comes we can just visit.
Make sure you sign up for all the help you can. I live in the Midwest and next week I’m going to sign up for assistance with utilities.
We both worked for years and now we should sign up for all the help that is available.
Best wishes to you. I hope things get better for you.
I agree 💯% Sabrina!! What REALLY upsets me is that I WOULD LOOOVE to eat Carnivore or Ketovore consistently but as you probably know already I CAN’T afford to eat healthy NOW! W/the tiny amount of benefits I receive from SNAP! So if I can’t eat healthy NOW w/Snap &no restrictions, how in the world am I going to eat more healthy (according to politicians)w/THEIR input & restrictions? For goodness sakes I understand, I’m TRYING to THRIVE in this “new way of living” (POOR) for myself along with my Leukemia diagnosis! GOD BLESS YOU ✝️♾️
You did a terrific job of articulating what SOOO MANY of us*😇
NJ already doesn’t allow for soda or hot prepared foods…
Also I receive a benefit since I’m disabled from my insurance called
‘healthy benefits’. It’s an allotment per month that allows me to only buy healthy food.. I think that’s the direction most states are heading with SNAP..
I still pay for soda with SNAP. Hot food was never allowed. The closest you could get to hot food is if it was cooked and sold refrigerated.
Yeah, but we don’t get to decide what is healthy. Like our medications, doctors don’t decide what we should take and what dosages we should take, politicians decide that. Now politicians decide what foods are “healthy” and what foods should be considered “not healthy”.
All junk food and sweetened drinks should be banned. Granola bars are not good for you.
You can still purchase the ingredients to bake a cake, so that point is moot. Box mixes and processed foods are unnecessary.
How do you expect poor people to eat if you ban all processed foods? Many have to live on macaroni and cheese and hot dogs or ramen noodles just to get by. How are we supposed to afford more expensive fresh or organic foods? You so called Christians are such hypocrites!
What if you’re homeless like me? I don’t have an oven… So ingredients to bake a cake are moot…
no i dont agree with this it seems like they are trying too control what people do will they try too control other things too i just think that telling people what they can an cant eat isnt the way too go people are smart they kno what they need it not for anyone else too say what they buy
What the government needs to ban is all the preservatives, chemicals, etc. that are in almost ALL the foods for sale in the supermarkets and convenience stores!! For instance, if you compare a bag of Doritos in England with the Doritos in America, the ingredients list in the American Doritos is TWICE as long as the Doritos sold in the U.K.!
Wake up America!! Our government and the oligarchs who support them are trying to kill us!!
Very, very true!
I AGREE WITH YOU 100% !!!
You’re right.
Yeah, the government put all this crap in our food making us sicker and sicker. Nobody asked for that and no one was asked or informed, no vote was taken. They just quietly did it. Now you can’t get away from it. We can’t even pronounce half the ingredients on the lable and we’re supposed to read them to make sure we’re eating healthy? It would take all day just to buy a can of beans! It shouldn’t be legal to put
poisonous ingredients in food and sell it, but it is, perfectly legal. Mr Kennedy and others should work on how the sugar addicted, preservative sick, strung out on steroid ladened meat consumers got that way in the first place instead of blaming them. Makes no sense.
You are so right. So many chemicals in America’s food. It is banned in other countries.
I agree and disagree with this. Not everyone that gets SNAP don’t work, so how is it fair for those that do pay taxes be told what they can and can not buy. I feel if they are going to say what can be bought then you should be able to get soaps, t paper and other necessities that are needed. I have seen people buy a buggy full of junk food and soda and it does upset me. I think it’s going to cause more children fighting or bring a child’s self esteem down because they couldn’t even have a piece of cake for their own birthday, while another child was able to have a cake for their birthday.
To all: you can buy whatever you want with your own money. You just can’t buy these things with the government‘s money. I hope this helps.
People should not be able to buy candy and sodas with SNAP benefits. They are bad for your health period.
Then perhaps people shouldn’t be able to purchase those things with money either
I began working at 16 years old and worked until my back was injured and I required several surgeries just to exist. I paid in to social security all the years I worked until I was unable to continue working. I think I should be able to spend money for food I enjoy eating. Your opinion seems to mean that because I got old and had to retire someone else should decide what foods I should be able to buy and eat. Carrying that forward someone should decide what you buy and eat.