In a move being hailed by supporters as a major health policy shift, the federal government has approved a growing number of states to limit the use of food stamps for purchasing unhealthy items like soda, candy, and energy drinks.
On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that six more states—West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas—have received waivers allowing them to restrict certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases.
These approvals bring the total to 12 states under new SNAP guidelines since President Donald Trump took office and appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, a role that has seen him spearhead the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative.
Under the approved plans, the states will phase in restrictions over the next 18 months. Many are targeting sugary drinks, candy, and processed desserts, which public health officials say are key contributors to America’s obesity and diabetes epidemics.
For instance, Florida’s plan, set to begin in January 2026, will ban the use of SNAP benefits for soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts. Texas, the most populous state on the list, will implement its restrictions by April 2026, targeting sweetened drinks and candy.
RFK Jr., speaking on Tuesday, defended the move as fiscally responsible and health-focused. “We are spending $405 million a day on SNAP and about 10% is going to sugary drinks,” he said. “Add candy to that, and it's closer to 17%.”
Kennedy emphasized that the new rules don’t infringe on personal freedom, but rather ensure that taxpayer-funded programs promote better nutrition. “If you want to buy a sugary soda, you should be able to do that,” he said, “but the U.S. taxpayer should not pay for it.”
States like Arkansas, Utah, and Indiana have also set similar timelines to bar soda and candy purchases by early 2026, as the MAHA initiative continues to gain traction across red and purple states.
Critics argue the move could stigmatize low-income families, while supporters view it as a necessary correction to decades of unchecked SNAP spending on junk food. With momentum building, more states are expected to apply for waivers in the coming months.
Here's a full list of the changes:
Arkansas: Soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy will be barred from food stamps purchases by July 2026.
Colorado: By March 2026, SNAP will restrict soft drink purchases.
Florida: Soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts will no longer be permitted food stamp purchases by January 2026.
Idaho: Soda and candy will be restricted by January 2026.
Indiana: Soft drinks and candy will be restricted by January 2026.
Iowa: By January 2026, taxable food items in the state, which will include most candy, soft drinks, and prepared foods, will be restricted.
Louisiana: With a target date of January 15, 2026, the state will ban the purchase of soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy with SNAP.
Nebraska: Soda and energy drinks will be restricted by January 2026.
Oklahoma: Soft drinks and candy will be restricted by January 2026.
Texas: By April 2026, sweetened drinks and candy will be barred from SNAP purchases.
Utah: Soft drink purchases will be barred by January 2026.
West Virginia: Soda will be restricted by January 2026.