Oklahoma SNAP recipients woke up to a new reality on February 15, 2026. Starting that day, nearly 600,000 EBT cardholders in the state can no longer use their benefits to buy certain food and drink items — and some of the changes may catch families off guard.
The shift comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved Oklahoma’s request to run a two-year federal pilot program. It is officially called the SNAP Healthy Foods Waiver. The goal is to limit purchases of foods considered high in sugar and low in nutritional value.
For many low-income families, seniors, and parents, this means standing at the checkout line and having certain items declined — even if they’ve bought them for years.
What EBT cards can no longer buy under the new rules includes:
- Soft drinks — carbonated sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks like Gatorade, and sweetened bottled teas or lemonades
- Candy — chocolate bars, gummies, hard candies, caramels, taffy, licorice, mints, and chewing gum
- Fruit-flavored drinks — any beverage that contains less than 100% real fruit or vegetable juice
- Chocolate- or yogurt-coated snacks — such as chocolate-covered raisins or nuts
Retailers across Oklahoma have already updated their point-of-sale (POS) systems. When a restricted item is scanned, it will be automatically declined based on its barcode. Shoppers will not need to sort it out manually — the register will flag it immediately.
But not everything sweet is off the table. Many shoppers may be surprised to learn that cookies, cakes, muffins, and brownies are still allowed. Under the waiver’s guidelines, baked goods are not classified as candy and remain fully eligible under SNAP.
Other items that remain approved include:
- Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs
- Dairy products, bread, cereals, rice, and pasta
- 100% fruit or vegetable juice, plain water, milk, and soy or rice milk alternatives
- Coffee and tea prepared at home
Oklahoma’s move is part of a larger national push. The initiative falls under the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda. Oklahoma now joins Idaho and Indiana, which have already enacted or are preparing similar SNAP restrictions in 2026.
Health advocates and food policy researchers have long debated whether SNAP should limit what recipients can purchase. Supporters say the restrictions will improve nutrition outcomes. Critics argue the rules create barriers for families already facing food insecurity.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state agency overseeing the program. A full list of restricted products is available on the Oklahoma DHS Healthy Food Waiver page.
Recipients with questions about eligible items are encouraged to visit the official Oklahoma DHS website or contact their local SNAP office directly.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS)
