States Expand SNAP Restrictions on Sugary Products and Retailer Offerings

Eight states—Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia—will prohibit the purchase of soda, energy drinks, and candy with SNAP benefits beginning in 2026. The measures are part of a broader movement to steer SNAP spending toward healthier foods. The USDA also announced retailer requirements, effective in the fall, that require SNAP-authorized stores to stock at least seven items across protein, grains, dairy, and produce.

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SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program, provides low-income Americans with monthly benefits loaded onto a debit card. Historically, the program has barred purchases of alcohol and tobacco. The current wave of restrictions builds on earlier state-level actions that limited sugary items.

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2025 – Legislative debates and media coverage of SNAP restrictions on soda and candy.

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2026 – Colorado’s implementation delayed to October; on July 1 eight additional states enforce bans on sugary drinks and candy.

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Fall 2026 – USDA retailer rule requiring expanded nutritious inventory takes effect.

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2028 – Nearly half of states projected to have similar bans.

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States adopting bans in 2026: Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia.

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By 2028, about half of states are projected to have bans.

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SNAP serves roughly 1 in 8 Americans.

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Retailers process over $90 billion a year, about $236 million daily.

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The USDA emphasized that the retailer rule ensures businesses accepting SNAP benefits focus on food sales rather than non-nutritive items. Officials described the policy as aligning federal assistance with nutritional goals and reducing high-sugar purchases among vulnerable populations.

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Proponents argue that restricting sugary items will improve diet quality for low-income households and reduce long-term health costs. Retailers will need to adjust inventory to meet the new seven-item requirement across protein, grains, dairy, and produce. Critics may raise concerns about limited consumer choice and administrative burdens on small merchants. These changes reflect a broader national push for healthier SNAP purchases.

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> “SNAP authorized retailers accept over $90 billion a year, or $236 million a day, in taxpayer dollars—USDA is making sure they’re actually in the business of selling food,” — Brooke Rollins, Agriculture Secretary

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The USDA indicated further guidance on the retailer rule will be released in coming months. States yet to adopt restrictions are monitoring early-adopting jurisdictions, suggesting additional bans could appear before the 2028 target.

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