The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal effort available throughout the United States in which the government pays funds through a debit card that can only be spent on nutritious food at designated supermarkets and businesses.
The purpose of this program is to encourage healthy eating and provide low-income families with access to quality nutrition services.
To do this, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted states the authority to impose limitations on the purchase of “junk food” items such as soft drinks and sweets through special waivers.
What are the new SNAP restrictions?
Several states have added restrictions on the purchase of certain foods. These are the main prohibitions:
Soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages: This includes regular, diet and carbonated soft drinks
Candy: Hard candies, chocolate bars, chewing gum and other treats.
Snacks: Chips, cookies and other packaged snacks.
Convenience frozen foods.
Which states have passed restrictions on junk food with SNAP?
By 2026, these are the states that have accepted the new restrictions:
Arkansas
Idaho
Indiana
Nebraska
Iowa
Utah
