USDA Expands SNAP Soda, Candy Ban; States Seek Waivers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded waivers allowing states to restrict SNAP benefits from being used to purchase candy, soda, and other sugary drinks, with states like Florida, Texas, West Virginia, and Louisiana among those enacting bans starting January 2026. South Carolina is also seeking a similar waiver, potentially increasing the reach of these restrictions. The initiative is part of the broader 'Make America Healthy Again' program and is supported by federal officials such as HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While some states, including West Virginia and Louisiana, are seeking USDA approval to expand SNAP access to healthier hot, prepared foods, those requests are still pending. The policy shift has drawn both support for promoting healthier eating and criticism for potentially stigmatizing low-income families and impacting small retailers. These changes mark a significant transformation in SNAP, affecting millions of Americans' food purchasing options.