If you live in eight US states, rules changes are incoming to ban junk food purchases with SNAP benefits. (With additional states banning soda purchases.)
The eight states:
- Texas
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Florida
- Arkansas
More specifically, these states have all received waivers from the federal government’s Department of Health and Human Services to modify their SNAP rules. (States can’t do this on their own, since SNAP is a federal program administered by the states.)
Under Secretary RFK, Jr., HHS has been aggressively supporting states’ work to reduce SNAP funding for unhealthy foods.
And while each state defines that a little differently – for example, Idaho’s ban is strictly for candy and soda, while Florida’s extends to prepared desserts.
The most aggressive and restrictive of all is Iowa’s waiver, which excludes food including candy, gum, marshmallows, and quite a bit more.
All of these waivers take effect in 2026 (between January and July), so there’s plenty of time to think through the implications between now and then.
So what do YOU think – are these restrictions necessary moves to promote health, or government overreach? Leave a comment and let us know!
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