Sugary drinks and candy now off-limits for millions using SNAP benefits

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Scripps News

Posted 7:09 AM, Mar 10, 2026


Millions of Americans who rely on federal food assistance are facing new restrictions on what they can purchase, as more states roll out bans on sugary drinks and snacks under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

So far, 22 states are implementing bans on items like soda, candy, and energy drinks through waivers submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The latest states approved to move forward are Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming.

The changes have caught some recipients off guard. Kassy Donat, a SNAP recipient in Idaho, forgot about the rule change until she tried to buy a drink during a routine shopping trip. "I scanned the EBT card, and it declined," Donat said. Donat ended up paying with her debit card, but said the restrictions stretched her already tight budget.

Bans on using SNAP benefits for junk food

While SNAP is a federal program, states are given flexibility on whether to restrict certain items, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all approach to how the changes are being rolled out.

Read more: https://www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/sugary-drinks-and-candy-now-off-limits-for-millions-using-snap-benefits

[Kali]

1. restrictions just encourage shitty behavior

trade you some "healthy" food for whatever I am not allowed to buy

people are fucking stupid...and clever

[mzmolly]

2. The 'nanny' state?

I'm all for healthier eating but it saddens me to think a child in poverty can't have a snack. This feels like a way to shame the poor.

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

3. So have Coca-Cola and M&M/Mars sued yet?

Beating up those on Public Assistance is a hobby horse of the right, and among certain "liberals," in America; so this is hardly a surprise. Since the legislators aren't likely to do anything about much of anything that sucks, it's fallen to the courts to decide such things. Big corporate interests COULD lead to an overturn in this case, unless it's filed in the 5th Circuit.

[bluestarone]

4. This will probably force more stealing i'm afraid.

[purr-rat beauty]

5. Show me affordable healthy food...

....at a Dollar General in bumblefuck U.S.A.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Let's pass a bill that takes away lobster, crab legs, and ribeyes from the DOD budget.

[twodogsbarking]

7. Throw them a sammich, with musterd.

[DBoon]

8. If they want to encourage healthy eating, they should make healthy food cheaper

Use SNAP to subsidize fresh fruit, vegetables, etc.

[msongs]

9. buy a box of sugar, a bottle of seltzer water, some flavoring and voila soda for less nt

[NH Ethylene]

10. I have no problem with this.

People are free to spend their money on garbage food whenever they want, but there is no reason the taxpayers should have to fund it. Now if they start dictating which foods they can buy (like no steak, for example), I will be opposed.

[KT2000]

11. DOD - $93 BILLION in one month

on frivolous spending to get rid of the excess in their budget.

[Escape]

12. If that stuff is really bad for us...

maybe the 79 year old obese president should be forced to drop the diet cokes and hamberders.

[lostnfound]

13. Are these people opposed to Halloween candy, too?

Not a fan of junk food but also not a fan of a nanny state micromanaging people’s parenting decisions and food choices.

[Torchlight]

14. When healthy food becomes more affordable than junk food

someone, somewhere may have a point. Until then, it's just noise to sanctimoniously legislate the trivialization of a demographic.

[chouchou]

15. Perhaps, I would have a certain percentage of junk food..(Chips..Ice cream)

10 percent? 15 percent?