SNAP Soda and Candy Bans Start in 2026: States Affected and What Changes

Millions of Americans who rely on SNAP will soon see new rules around what they can and can’t buy at the grocery store. 

The biggest shift is a growing list of states enforcing a SNAP soda ban, preventing soda, candy, and certain sweetened drinks from being purchased with benefits.

These changes will roll out state by state throughout the year, with more states limiting SNAP purchases as the calendar moves forward and the first restrictions taking effect on January 1st.

While supporters say the move is a push toward better nutrition, critics say it could create new barriers for people already navigating tight food budgets.

Here’s what’s changing, where it’s happening, and why it’s drawing strong reactions on both sides.

Which States Are Making Changes First

The earliest SNAP changes in 2026 are set to begin on January 1st. These five states are going first:

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Nebraska

• Utah

• West Virginia

In these states, SNAP benefits can no longer be used for soda, candy, and certain sweetened or energy drinks. Exactly which products are being restricted depends on each state’s rules, but these SNAP candy restrictions will largely focus on sugary drinks and sweets.

Additional states will phase in similar changes throughout 2026, including:

• Colorado

• Florida

• Louisiana

• Missouri

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Virginia

By the end of the year, at least 18 states will have some variation of these restrictions in place.

Items Being Removed Under the New SNAP Food Restrictions

Across the U.S., the most common items being cut are:

• Soda

• Candy

• Energy drinks

Some states will go even further. In Iowa, for example, SNAP benefits can no longer be used for items that are subject to state sales tax. 

That includes things like:

• Candy

• Gum

• Mints

• Sweetened drinks, like Hi-C

• Trail mix, if it contains chocolate or candy pieces 

Prepared foods will also be excluded.

Indiana’s rules will focus on candy and soft drinks, using a broad definition that covers a lot of sweet treats sold in bars, drops, or pieces.

Nebraska’s changes will target energy drinks, specifically, removing them from SNAP eligibility altogether.

The result is a patchwork of rules that will vary by state and, in some cases, by product label.

Why These Changes Are Happening Now

The push for restrictions comes from a broader federal effort to tighten nutritional standards within SNAP.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states are being granted waivers that will allow them to limit the purchase of what the agency calls non-nutritious items.

Officials within the Trump administration say the goal is to improve health outcomes while giving states more control over how their SNAP dollars are spent.

The effort has also been publicly supported by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has argued that taxpayer money should not subsidize foods linked to long-term health issues.

Arguments For and Against the Restrictions

Some supporters say the changes could encourage healthier eating habits and better align SNAP with public health goals. 

Iowa’s Governor, Kim Reynolds, has said rising obesity rates are one of the reasons to rethink how benefits are used.

Critics, on the other hand, say that restricting purchases doesn’t make healthier food options more affordable or accessible. 

Advocacy groups worry that the new rules could increase the stigma at checkout counters, create confusion for retailers, and disproportionately affect people who don’t have reliable food storage or cooking access.

Some SNAP recipients have raised practical concerns, as well, especially those who have housing problems or need to rely on shelf-stable foods.

How Many People Will Be Affected

The impact of these changes is sure to be significant. In the five states implementing changes in January, roughly 1.4 million people will see their SNAP purchasing options change right away.

Across all 18 states, an estimated 13 million SNAP recipients will be affected at some point in 2026, according to an analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

For context, more than 41 million Americans used SNAP in 2024, making it the country’s largest food assistance program.

A Quick Look at SNAP’s History

SNAP has been part of American life for decades. The original food stamp program began in 1939 during the Great Depression and ended in World War II.

A modern version was reintroduced in the early 1960s, under President John F. Kennedy, and became permanent with the Food Stamp Act of 1964. The program was officially renamed SNAP in 2008.

Over time, SNAP has evolved, along with new research about nutrition, public health, and how to support families who have food insecurity.

What This Means at the Checkout Line

With more states following these new mandates throughout 2026, SNAP users will need to pay closer attention to state-specific rules at checkout. 

Retailers and food banks are also preparing for the changes in demand as purchasing patterns shift.

Whether these restrictions improve people’s health or create new challenges is still an open discussion. But, what remains clear is that SNAP is entering another period of change, and millions of households will feel it in very real, everyday ways.

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