Eight states are set to implement new restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in 2026, part of a broader movement to limit SNAP recipients' purchases of sugary drinks and candy with their government assistance.
Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia will begin enforcing rules banning the purchase of soda, energy drinks and certain sweets with SNAP dollars. Kansas, Nevada and Wyoming are scheduled to roll out similar restrictions over the next two years, according to data from state agencies tracked by Nexstar.
The changes extend beyond individual purchases. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the SNAP program nationally, recently announced it will require SNAP-authorized retailers to stock more varieties of nutritious food. Beginning in fall 2026, retailers must carry seven types of items across four food categories: protein, grains, dairy and produce.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates argue that restricting what low-income Americans can purchase with their benefits represents government overreach into personal dietary choices. They contend the policies stigmatize SNAP recipients rather than address root causes of food insecurity.
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank, has argued that such restrictions assume SNAP participants cannot make healthy decisions for themselves and their families. Advocates note that SNAP already prohibits alcohol and tobacco purchases and question whether sugary drinks warrant additional prohibition.
Food banks and anti-hunger organizations have raised concerns that the restrictions create administrative burdens on both retailers and recipients. Some advocates point out that sugary beverages are often cheaper than healthier alternatives, making complete restriction impractical for budget-conscious families.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative supporters of the restrictions say using taxpayer dollars to purchase soda and candy represents poor stewardship of public resources. They argue the policies align SNAP benefits more closely with their intended purpose of purchasing nutritious food.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defended the retail requirements in a press release, stating that SNAP-authorized retailers accept over $90 billion annually in taxpayer funds. "USDA is making sure they're actually in the business of selling food," she said.
Republican lawmakers in states implementing restrictions have framed the measures as promoting public health outcomes among low-income populations. The Trump administration has described the shift toward healthier SNAP purchases as moving benefits toward "real food."
What the Numbers Show
SNAP serves approximately 1 in 8 Americans, according to USDA data. The program distributes roughly $236 million in benefits daily through electronic benefit transfer cards loaded monthly with recipient allocations.
By 2028, nearly half of U.S. states will have restrictions limiting sugary drink and candy purchases under SNAP, representing a significant expansion from current levels. Eight states previously implemented similar restrictions before the 2026 rollout.
The USDA's new retail requirements mandate that SNAP-authorized stores stock seven distinct items across four categories: protein sources, whole grains, dairy products and fresh produce. The agency stated additional guidance on implementation would be forthcoming.
The Bottom Line
The expansion of SNAP restrictions represents a significant shift in how the federal food assistance program operates at the state level. While supporters argue the policies promote healthier eating among low-income populations using public funds, critics contend they represent paternalistic government intervention limiting individual choice.
States implementing new restrictions will need to develop enforcement mechanisms for retailers and establish systems for identifying prohibited items at checkout. The USDA's retail stocking requirements add another compliance layer for the roughly 260,000 stores authorized to accept SNAP benefits nationwide.
What to watch: How courts respond to potential legal challenges over state-level restrictions, implementation costs borne by retailers, and whether additional states adopt similar measures before 2028.