New rules around what SNAP users can purchase with their benefits will start in April.
Several U.S. states will begin implementing new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit rules in April.The changes come amid a nationwide shift as states adopt federal waivers to restrict purchases of items such as sugary drinks and candy, affecting millions of households who rely on SNAP for groceries at home.
In all,SNAP serves around 40 million people across the country, helping low- and no-income Americans buy groceries.will prohibit purchases of candy and sweetened drinks with SNAP effective April 1, 2026, following a 2025 state law and a federal waiver approval. The Texas rule defines sweetened drinks as nonalcoholic beverages made with water that contain five grams or more of added sugar per serving or any amount of artificial sweetener, with exceptions for milk and milk substitutes, beverages that are more than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice by volume, and medical-grade electrolyte drinks used to treat dehydration that are not marketed as sports drinks, according to the state. Texas will also bar SNAP purchases of candy bars, gum, taffy, and nuts, raisins, or fruits that have been candied, crystallized, glazed, or coated with chocolate, yogurt, or caramel, while allowing many other snacks such as granola bars and popcorn to remain eligible, according to the state’s guidance. ’s ban on soda took effect January 1, 2026, but retailers were given until April 1 to reach full compliance, so SNAP shoppers may encounter some blocks on certain purchases from Wednesday onward.Other waivers are scheduled to come into force over the next month. Colorado’s restrictions on sugary drinks has been approved by USDA, but thebeyond April 30 and expects a final board vote on April 3, meaning no new purchase limits will start there this week, according to the Colorado Department of Human Services. Florida’s waiver, which removes soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts from being bought with SNAP will go into force later this month on April 20., said in a previous statement regarding junk food waivers:"SNAP exists to nourish vulnerable Americans—not bankroll the products driving our chronic disease crisis. Today, we are putting nutrition back at the center of SNAP and giving millions of families greater access to real food.", Texas can help ensure the health and well-being of Texans. The new SNAP guidelines will ensure taxpayer dollars are used to purchase foods that provide real nutritional value. I thank Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Trump Administration for their approval of Texas’ waiver to promote healthy eating habits. Working together, we will build a stronger, healthier Texas.", a left-leaning think tank, said in October 2025:"SNAP helps more than 41 million people put food on the table each month, while supporting local stores and strengthening economies. "Cutting SNAP funding and policing people's groceries does not improve the program or respect their dignity. States should focus on reducing hardship amid slashed funding and eligibility rollbacks—not make it more complicated to use this critical program."Shoppers in Texas will begin encountering register blocks on ineligible sweets and drinks this week as retailers’ systems apply the new categories, and the state will survey SNAP recipients before and after the rollout to evaluate whether purchases shift toward healthier options, as required under its federal waiver.Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to help produce this story.
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