18 States Will Restrict SNAP Purchases Of Soda, Candy And Other Sugary Items In 2026

Starting in 2026, eighteen U.S. states will implement new limits on what can be purchased with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, primarily targeting sweetened beverages, candy and certain processed foods. The changes take effect on staggered dates and are the result of state requests for federal waivers to alter existing SNAP spending rules.

Why It’s Happening

States requested waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to change which items are eligible for SNAP purchases. Federal and state officials say the goal is to reduce consumption of added sugar and other ingredients they consider unhealthy. The changes align with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, which emphasizes reducing intake of added sugars and some food additives.

How Many People Are Affected

Nearly 42 million people — about 12% of the U.S. resident population — used SNAP each month during fiscal 2024, according to the Department of Agriculture. Any change to eligible purchases could affect daily shopping choices for a large number of households.

Concerns About Implementation

Advocates and anti-hunger groups warn that implementation details are incomplete. The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) said in a blog post on December 29 that many recipients and retailers have not received clear, product-level lists of what will be ineligible. That lack of clarity could cause confusion at checkout and unintended barriers to food access.

Which States Are Changing SNAP Rules in 2026

Below are the 18 states that plan to restrict certain SNAP purchases next year, with the items they intend to limit and the effective dates, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

• Arkansas — Effective July 1: Restrictions on soda, "unhealthy drinks," beverages with less than 50% natural juice, and candy.
• Colorado — Effective March 1: Restrictions on purchases of soft drinks.
• Florida — Effective April 20: Limits on soda, energy drinks, candy and prepared desserts.
• Hawaii — Effective August 1: Restrictions on soft drinks.
• Idaho — Effective February 15: Limits on soda and candy purchases.
• Indiana — Effective January 1: Restrictions on soft drinks and candy.
• Iowa — Effective January 1: Limits on "all taxable food items" as described in the state's notice, including soda, candy, candy-coated products, vitamins and minerals, chewing gum, and drinks with 50% or less fruit/vegetable juice.
• Louisiana — Effective February 18: Restrictions on soft drinks, energy drinks and candy.
• Missouri — Effective October 1: Limits on candy, prepared desserts and certain "unhealthy beverages."
• Nebraska — Effective January 1: Restrictions on soda and energy drinks.
• North Dakota — Effective September 1: Limits on soft drinks, energy drinks and candy.
• Oklahoma — Effective February 15: Restrictions on soft drinks and candy.
• South Carolina — Effective August 31: Limits on candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and other sweetened beverages.
• Tennessee — Effective July 31: Restrictions on processed foods and beverages such as soda, energy drinks and candy.
• Texas — Effective April 1: Limits on sweetened drinks and candy.
• Utah — Effective January 1: Restrictions on soft drink purchases.
• Virginia — Effective April 1: Limits on "sweetened beverages."
• West Virginia — Effective January 1: Restrictions on buying soda with SNAP benefits.

What’s Unclear

Key unanswered questions include which specific products will be identified as ineligible, how retailers must label or block restricted items at checkout, and whether there will be exceptions for specific populations (for example, medical needs). Advocates say clearer guidance and product-level lists are needed to avoid confusion and prevent accidental denials at stores.

Bottom Line

The new rules will alter how millions of SNAP recipients shop in the affected states. Whether these restrictions will yield measurable improvements in diet quality or health outcomes remains uncertain and will depend on how the policies are implemented, communicated and supported with education and access to affordable healthy foods.