{"id":2527344,"date":"2025-12-31T12:39:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T17:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/five-states-to-ban-snap-payments-for-candy-and-soda-in-2026\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T12:42:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T17:42:48","slug":"five-states-to-ban-snap-payments-for-candy-and-soda-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/five-states-to-ban-snap-payments-for-candy-and-soda-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Five states to ban SNAP payments for candy and soda in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffive-states-to-ban-snap-payments-for-candy-and-soda-in-2026%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2527344&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Beginning in 2026, more than 1.4 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) recipients in five states &#8211; Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia &#8211; will be barred from using benefits to buy certain junk foods such as candy, soda, energy drinks and, in some cases, other taxable foods.The states received USDA-approved food-restriction waivers that vary by state: indiana limits soft drinks and candy; Iowa bars those plus moast taxable foods except produce; nebraska targets soda and energy drinks; Utah and West Virginia prohibit soda and soft drinks. The changes mark a shift from longstanding SNAP policy, which historically only excluded alcohol, tobacco and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/food-stamps-final-virginia-direct-payment-for-july-worth-average-of-181-to-go-out-in-four-days\/\" title=\"Final ... direct payment for July ... stamps to be distributed in four days, averaging 1.\">prepared hot foods<\/a>. The policy is part of the Trump administration&#8217;s &#8220;Make America Healthy Again&#8221; framework, and USDA says the waivers will run for an initial two<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/google-program-to-give-1000-to-san-francisco-homeless-families\/\" title=\"Google&#039;s initiative provides ,000 to homeless families in San Francisco\">-year pilot period<\/a> with required state evaluations. Critics warn the restrictions could strain the program, slow checkouts, increase complaints, and impose notable costs on retailers &#8211; industry groups estimate large initial and ongoing losses. Thirteen more states have <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >pledged similar waivers<\/a> to take effect later in 2026, including Virginia and Florida, and USDA is requiring affected retailers to comply.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">SNAP recipients in five states will be banned from using assistance for candy and soda, beginning 2026<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2459064\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>More than 1.4 million recipients of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/snap\/\">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program<\/a> across five states will be banned from using federal <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/food\/\">food<\/a> assistance for candy and soda purchases, starting Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia are the first group of 18 states to set <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fns.usda.gov\/snap\/waivers\/foodrestriction\">food restriction waivers<\/a> at the start of the new year, according to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-agriculture\/\">Department of Agriculture<\/a>. The waivers target different junk food items in each state.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4375488\/house-oversight-answers-minnesota-somali-fraud-scheme-hearings\/\">House Oversight seeks answers on Minnesota Somali fraud scheme with first hearings<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4375514\/trump-keeps-federal-regulations-promise-deregulator-in-chief\/\">Trump keeps promise to be &lsquo;deregulator-in-chief&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4375446\/virginia-man-held-without-bond-death-threat-richard-grenell\/\">Virginia man ordered held without bond over death threat against Richard Grenell<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/indiana\/\">Indiana<\/a> will soon restrict the purchase of soft drinks and candy using SNAP, while <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iowa\/\">Iowa<\/a> will restrict those items and all other taxable foods as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue, except produce. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nebraska\/\">Nebraska<\/a> will place restrictions on soda and energy drinks. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/utah\/\">Utah<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/west-virginia\/\">West Virginia<\/a> will both ban SNAP purchases of soda and soft drinks.<\/p>\n<p>The move taken by multiple states marks a departure from precedent. SNAP benefits have historically been used for any foods or drinks, excluding alcohol, tobacco, and prepared hot foods. The exceptions have been limited to those categories since 1964. But in 2026, the restrictions will extend to junk food.<\/p>\n<p>The soda and candy restrictions are part of the Trump administration&rsquo;s Make America Healthy Again policy framework, spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> and Secretary of Agriculture <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brooke-rollins\/\">Brooke Rollins<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Critics argue the resulting changes from the new restrictions will only further stress the food program and worsen the customer experience. The National Retail Federation anticipates longer checkout lines and more customer complaints once the waivers restrict certain junk foods.<\/p>\n<p>There are also concerns about the waivers&rsquo; burdening costs on retailers. The National Grocers Association, the Food Industry Association, and the National Association of Convenience Stores <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fmi.org\/docs\/default-source\/communications-uploads\/snap-reform-impact-report-final.pdf\">estimate<\/a> retailers could lose $1.6 billion initially and an additional $759 million per year.<\/p>\n<p>USDA is requiring all affected SNAP retailers to comply with the changes in the respective states.<\/p>\n<p>Thirteen other states have committed to enacting food restriction waivers on candy, soda, and other unhealthy items. However, those waivers won&rsquo;t be implemented until later in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Starting April 1, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\">Virginia<\/a> will only restrict purchases of &ldquo;sweetened beverages.&rdquo; Later that month, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\">Florida<\/a> will restrict SNAP payments for soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts.<\/p>\n<p>The waivers will run for an initial two-year period once implemented after receiving approval from the Food and Nutrition Service, the agency&rsquo;s acting administrator, Patrick Penn, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fns.usda.gov\/snap\/admin\/foodrestriction-waivers-retailer-compliance\">wrote in a memorandum<\/a>. Each approved state is required to assess and evaluate the impact of the waivers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The success of these projects will hinge on the collaborative efforts of SNAP state agencies, retailers, and FNS,&rdquo; Penn said on Tuesday. &ldquo;FNS applauds the many state agencies and thousands of retailers that have been engaged in preparing for these bold projects thus far, and we are excited to continue this important work.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3913447\/six-states-sign-pledge-ban-snap-payments-junk-food\/\">SIX MORE STATES SIGN PLEDGE TO BAN USE OF SNAP PAYMENTS ON JUNK FOOD<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-UT) hailed the upcoming change to SNAP benefits in Utah, home to nearly 170,000 SNAP recipients.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I co-sponsored the Healthy SNAP Act that will require the USDA to promote healthy long-term nutrition,&rdquo; he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepMikeKennedy\/status\/2006159755069251983\">said on X<\/a>, referencing the pending legislation. &ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t just about changing what is in the grocery cart; it&rsquo;s about investing in the health of Utah&rsquo;s families.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SNAP bans soda, candy purchases in five states (2026)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2527345,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25104792014696.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[47646,52479,11892,38108,60633],"class_list":["post-2527344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-food-policy","tag-nutrition-policy","tag-snap","tag-state-legislation","tag-sugary-drinks"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25104792014696.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2527344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2527344"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2527344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2527348,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2527344\/revisions\/2527348"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2527345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2527344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2527344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2527344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}