New SNAP rules explained: 6 more states restrict purchases of processed 'junk' foods
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that six additional states had been granted waivers allowing them to prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used on certain processed foods and drinks.
Kennedy joined U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Monday as Rollins signed the six new waivers, which allow the states to amend what the food assistance benefits -- colloquially referred to as food stamps -- can be used for at the grocery store.
"SNAP is a supplemental nutrition program meant to provide health food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being," Rollins said. "That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program, the law states it and President Trump's USDA plans to deliver on it."
In a statement, Kennedy added, "For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy -- products that fuel America's diabetes and chronic disease epidemics. These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health."
The new waivers will restrict the purchase of so-called "junk food" with SNAP funds in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida and West Virginia starting in 2026.
Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Utah were granted similar waivers for SNAP reform earlier this year.
What is SNAP?
The federally funded program, once known as food stamps, issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. It is run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which administers federal food assistance programs.
"SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families," the USDA states on its website. "Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income and other factors."
On average, according to USDA data, SNAP served 42.1 million people per month in 2023, which accounts for more than 12.5% of the population.
What foods and beverages are restricted by the waivers?
Of the 12 states that have been granted SNAP waivers so far, most will restrict the use of SNAP funds on purchases of soft drinks or sodas, and at least eight restrict the use of SNAP funds on candy purchases. Some also prohibit food benefits from being used on purchases of energy drinks and, in Arkansas, the purchase of "fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice."
Additionally, Florida will prohibit SNAP funds from being used on purchases of "prepared desserts," and Iowa will restrict the purchase of "all taxable food items as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except food producing plants and seeds for food producing plants." This includes items like candy, certain ready-to-eat snacks, soft drinks and gum.
The new restrictions will go into effect in 2026. Click here for a full list of prohibited items and links for additional state information.
While all of this is being done under the banner of "making America healthy again" and fighting chronic disease, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton said "there's no evidence that taking away access to soda will actually fight these conditions."
He noted however, that "sugar is one of those culprits that you always have to be mindful of" regardless.
"The U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that men have no more than 35 grams and women no more than 25 grams per day," Sutton said.
