Big changes are coming to food stamps in 2026. Twelve states will no longer let people buy soda, candy, and other junk food with SNAP benefits. This affects more than 41 million Americans who use food stamps to buy groceries.
The new rules are part of President Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said yes to these state requests. Most of the changes start on January 1, 2026.
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Here are the 12 states making changes:
- Colorado – No more soft drinks starting January 1, 2026
- Florida – No soft drinks, energy drinks, candy, or prepared desserts starting January 1, 2026
- Idaho – No soft drinks or candy starting January 1, 2026
- Indiana – No soft drinks or candy starting January 1, 2026
- Iowa – No taxable junk food starting January 1, 2026
- Nebraska – No soft drinks or energy drinks starting January 1, 2026
- Oklahoma – No soft drinks or candy starting January 1, 2026
- Utah – No soft drinks starting January 1, 2026
- West Virginia – No soft drinks starting January 1, 2026
- Louisiana – No soft drinks, energy drinks, or candy starting January 15, 2026
- Texas – No sugary drinks or candy starting April 1, 2026
- Arkansas – No soda, candy, or unhealthy drinks starting July 1, 2026
Each state has different rules. Some states ban more things than others. This can get confusing for people who shop in different states.
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Iowa has the biggest ban. The state will not allow any food that gets taxed under state law. This includes candy, gum, dried fruit with fake sugar, popcorn in packages, marshmallows, soda, flavored water, and juice drinks with less than half real fruit.
Arkansas comes in second with the most restrictions. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders wants to stop people from buying ultra-processed foods. The state will ban candy, regular soda, diet soda, fruit drinks with less than 50% real juice, and other unhealthy drinks.
Florida is the only state banning prepared desserts. This means no cakes or cookies from the bakery section if you are using food stamps.
What can you still buy? Good news – you can still buy lots of healthy food with your SNAP benefits:
- • Fresh fruits and vegetables
- • Meat, fish, and chicken
- • Milk and other dairy products
- • Whole grain bread and pasta
- • Beans and other legumes
- • 100% fruit juice and vegetable juice
- • Milk-based drinks like regular milk, soy milk, and rice milk
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says 20% of all SNAP money right now goes to buying sugary drinks and junk food. She says sugary drinks are the number one thing SNAP users buy. The government wants to change this.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the restrictions will stop taxpayers from paying for products that cause diabetes and other diseases. He says junk food is making America sick.
Missouri might become the 13th state. Governor Mike Kehoe asked for permission in September 2025. Missouri wants the changes to start on October 1, 2026. Missouri also wants to allow people to buy hot ready-to-eat foods like rotisserie chicken, which is different from other states.
What do stores need to do? Grocery stores and small shops that take EBT cards must update their computer systems. They need to make sure the banned items do not go through when someone uses food stamps. Store workers need training so they do not make mistakes. Mistakes could mean big fines or losing the ability to accept EBT cards.
The National Grocers Association is helping stores understand the new rules. Each state is different, so stores need to know exactly what is banned in their state.
Not everyone thinks this is a good idea. Scientists at the University of Michigan did studies on food stamp restrictions. They found that banning certain foods does not make people healthier. When people cannot buy soda with food stamps, they just buy other unhealthy things instead.
Professor Kate Bauer from the University of Michigan says the restrictions make life harder for SNAP users. She says people feel embarrassed and judged at the grocery store when they try to buy banned items. This can make people feel bad about themselves.
Some legal experts say the rules might not be fair. They ask if the government should tell poor families what to eat when rich families can buy whatever they want. Critics say the restrictions make it look like poor people do not know how to make good choices.
Other programs work better, according to some researchers. Programs like Double Up Food Bucks give people extra money when they buy fruits and vegetables. Michigan has this program, and it helps people buy healthy food without banning anything. People like these programs because they get rewards instead of punishments.
Missouri wants to use the Double Up program too. The program matches the money people spend on fresh produce. If you spend $5 on vegetables, you get another $5 to spend. This encourages healthy eating without making people feel bad.
Some of the rules do not make sense. In Arizona’s plan, you cannot buy granola bars or certain cereals, but you can still buy potato chips. In some states, Twix and Twizzlers candy are okay, but Clif energy bars are not allowed because they have flour in them.
These confusing rules make people wonder if the bans are really about health or about something else. If health was the only goal, the rules would be more clear and consistent.
What should you do if you live in one of these states? Start learning what you can and cannot buy now. The changes are coming fast. Here is what to do:
- • Check your state’s exact list of banned foods
- • Learn what healthy foods you can buy instead
- • Look for Double Up programs or other incentives in your area
- • Keep your receipts in case there are mistakes at the register
- • Ask your local SNAP office if you have questions
Remember, milk is still okay. Water is still okay. 100% fruit juice is still okay in most states. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always allowed. Meat, chicken, and fish are fine. You can still feed your family good food.
The biggest change is no more soda and candy for most states starting January 2026. If you like to drink soda or give your kids treats, you will need to buy those items with your own money, not with food stamps.
This is the biggest change to SNAP in many years. Millions of families will need to change how they shop. Stores will need to change their systems. Everyone will need time to adjust to the new rules.
The government says these changes will make America healthier. Opponents say the changes will just make poor families feel worse about themselves without actually improving health. Only time will tell who is right.
