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SNAP Wars: The Red-State Push to Ban Soda from Food Stamps

SNAP Wars: The Red-State Push to Ban Soda from Food Stamps

July 20, 2025

Key Takeaways

Six states—Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah—have received federal approval to ban soda and candy purchases using SNAP benefits, with most bans starting January 2026 .
The federal "Big Beautiful Bill" (signed July 2025) does NOT ban junk food purchases nationally but cuts SNAP funding by $186 billion over 10 years and expands work requirements, potentially removing 22.3 million families from the program or reducing their benefits .
New work requirements now apply to adults aged 55-64, parents of children aged 14+, and veterans—requiring 80 hours/month of work activity to keep benefits beyond 3 months .
States face new financial penalties starting 2028 based on payment error rates, potentially forcing them to cut enrollment or benefits if they can't cover 5%-15% of benefit costs .
Alabama, Texas, West Virginia, and 7 others are actively seeking or developing similar SNAP junk food restrictions .

SNAP Soda Ban Debate and Policy Changes

1. What Can You Actually Buy With SNAP Right Now?

The core rules about what you can get with SNAP benefits haven't changed much at the federal level. You can still use your EBT card for most groceries needed to feed your household. This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, chicken, fish, dairy like milk and cheese, breads, cereals, snacks, seeds to grow food, and non-alcoholic drinks like bottled water or juice.

But there are always items off-limits. You can't use SNAP for hot prepared meals ready to eat right away, think rotisserie chicken or a hot pizza slice from the deli. Also, no vitamins or medicines, pet food, cleaning supplies, alcohol, or tobacco. Any food meant to be eaten in the store is also excluded.

Some people wonder about energy drinks or fancy coffees. Generally, if it's a grocery item and not hot, it's allowed. So a canned energy drink or bottled frappuccino? Usually yes. But that's where some states are stepping in with new limits.

Table: Standard SNAP-Eligible vs. Ineligible Items (Federal Rules)

2. States Leading the Charge: Where Soda and Candy Bans Are Coming

Forget waiting for Congress. States are using a waiver process through the USDA to ask for permission to block certain items. And under the current administration, those requests are getting a green light fast.

Right now, six states got the okay:

Arkansas: Banning soda, fruit/veggie drinks with less than 50% real juice, "unhealthy drinks," and candy. Starts July 2026 .
Idaho: Banning soda and candy. Starts Jan 2026 .
Indiana: Banning soft drinks and candy. Starts Jan 2026 .
Iowa: Taking the strictest approach. Banning nearly all food the state defines as "taxable" for sales tax purposes, except basic groceries. This includes candy, ready-to-eat flavored popcorn like caramel corn, marshmallows, soda, and fruit juices under 50% real juice. Starts Jan 2026 .
Nebraska: Banning soda and energy drinks. Starts Jan 2026 .
Utah: Banning soft drinks. Starts Jan 2026 .

It's not just about soda pop. How states define things like "candy" or "energy drink" gets tricky fast. Idaho's law defines candy as sugar or honey mixed with chocolate, fruits, nuts, etc., shaped as bars, drops, or pieces. Crucially, it excludes anything with more than 10% flour by weight (so many granola bars escape) or needing refrigeration (like some chocolate bars) . Iowa casts a much wider net based on existing state tax law.

3. The "Big Beautiful Bill": Big Cuts, But Not Junk Food Bans

President Trump signed the massive budget bill (dubbed the "Big Beautiful Bill") on July 4, 2025. While it included huge tax cuts, it also targeted safety net programs to help offset costs. SNAP took a major hit.

Key SNAP Changes in the Bill:

Funding Cut: $186 billion sliced from SNAP over the next decade – described as the largest cut in the program's history .
Expanded Work Requirements: The bill significantly broadened who must meet the existing "ABAWD" (Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents) rules. Previously, adults aged 18-50 without young kids or disabilities faced a 3-month time limit unless they worked or trained 80 hours/month. Now, this applies to ages 18-54. It also includes parents with kids 14 and older, and veterans who were previously exempt .
State Cost-Sharing Penalty: Starting in 2028, states must pay 5%-15% of SNAP benefit costs if their payment error rate (mistakes in eligibility or benefit amounts) is 6% or higher. With the national average error rate around 10.9% in 2024, most states would owe the max 15% .

What the Bill DIDN'T Do: Despite talk, it did NOT impose national restrictions on buying soda, candy, or junk food with SNAP . That push remains entirely at the state waiver level.

The Urban Institute estimates 22.3 million families could lose some or all SNAP benefits due to these changes. For 5.3 million families losing at least $25/month, the average drop is $146 per month. About 3.5 million working families (where someone works at some point) face an average loss of $108/month, often due to fluctuating hours making it hard to consistently meet the 80-hour rule .

4. Why Ban Soda? The Arguments For and Against

The Case For Bans (Made by States & Supporters):

Taxpayer Responsibility & Obesity: Supporters argue taxpayer dollars shouldn't subsidize unhealthy choices, especially in states with high obesity rates. Alabama Sen. Arthur Orr (pushing a ban) stated, "Why should taxpayers be paying for sugary drinks and candy, particularly in a state that is one of the most obese in the country?" He points out SNAP recipients are often also on Medicaid, so taxpayers potentially pay for both the soda and resulting health problems . HHS Secretary RFK Jr. champions this as part of the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda .
Aligning SNAP with its Name: Supporters argue "Nutrition" is literally in SNAP's name (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). They believe benefits should focus solely on nutritious staples. "If we make the program meet all its goals, including nutrition... that strengthens the program," argues Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University .
Behavioral Nudge: Proponents hope removing the option will lead to healthier purchases. "If they have to spend their own money on junk food, they're not going to buy as much junk food," suggests NYU professor Marion Nestle .

The Case Against Bans (Made by Critics & Anti-Hunger Groups):

Paternalism & Stigma: Critics see it as controlling the choices of low-income people, creating stigma, and ignoring systemic issues. "Controlling how the poor eat is a paternalistic response," argues Valerie Imbruce of Washington College, noting it ignores the real issue: "Soda and candy are much cheaper... than 100 percent fruit juices or [healthier] beverages" due to subsidies .
Complexity & Access: Defining "junk food" is messy. Is a flavored yogurt with high sugar banned? What about a granola bar? Nestle acknowledges, "Candy can have nuts, it can have raisins... that are real foods and are healthier" . Bans also don't magically make fresh produce affordable or available in food deserts.
Administrative Burden & Cost: Implementing these bans requires reprogramming EBT systems, training cashiers, and ongoing enforcement – costs ultimately borne by taxpayers and retailers.

5. The Ripple Effect: Economic and Hunger Impacts

Cutting SNAP benefits or restricting purchases doesn't happen in a vacuum. It sends waves through households, communities, and the economy.

Local Economies Feel the Pinch: SNAP dollars are spent immediately at local grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers markets. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates about $1.54 in economic activity, supporting jobs in retail, agriculture, and transportation . When benefits are cut or people are kicked off, that local spending power vanishes. Elaine Waxman from the Urban Institute warns this weakens "grocery stores, producers, processors and transportation companies," especially in downturns when SNAP normally acts as an automatic stabilizer .
State Budgets Under the Gun: The bill's error-rate penalty starting in 2028 puts states in a tough spot. If they can't lower error rates below 6% (most couldn't in 2024), they'll have to pay 5-15% of benefit costs. States must balance their budgets. Faced with this new multimillion-dollar bill, their choices are grim: cut other vital services (like education or infrastructure), restrict SNAP enrollment further, reduce benefit amounts, or even opt out of SNAP entirely in extreme cases . Katie Bergh (CBPP) calls it "an extreme, unprecedented proposal that would likely lead to extreme cuts to food assistance in the state that you live in" .
Increased Poverty & Food Insecurity: The Urban Institute projects 5.3 million families losing at least $25 monthly (avg $146) means harder choices between food, rent, medicine, and utilities . Children losing SNAP often lose automatic eligibility for free school meals and summer EBT food benefits too . During recessions, SNAP usually expands to meet need. These changes make that safety net response much harder, potentially pushing hundreds of thousands more into poverty during a downturn .

6. Beyond Soda: The Other Major SNAP Changes Hitting Households

While soda bans grab headlines, the expanded work requirements and looming state cost-shifting pose more immediate and widespread threats to benefits.

Table: Expanded SNAP Work Requirements (2025 vs. Pre-2025)

Why the Work Requirements Are Problematic:

Inconsistent Hours: Many low-wage jobs offer fluctuating hours, gig work, or seasonal employment. Consistently hitting 80 hours/month (20 hrs/week) is hard. One slow month can mean losing benefits.
Reporting Hassles: Proving compliance requires paperwork and communication with often-overburdened state agencies. Mistakes or missed notices lead to termination. Waxman notes, "These [requirements] don't actually increase work efforts or income and result in a lot of people leaving the program" due to bureaucracy .
Lack of Support: The bill didn't add significant funding for job training or placement programs to help people meet the new requirements.

7. What's Next? States to Watch and Legal Challenges

The push for SNAP restrictions shows no sign of slowing.

States Actively Pursuing Bans:

Approved Waivers Pending Start: Arkansas (July '26), Idaho (Jan '26), Indiana (Jan '26), Iowa (Jan '26), Nebraska (Jan '26), Utah (Jan '26) .
Waivers Submitted Pending Approval: Texas, West Virginia .
Legislation Proposed/Discussed: Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Colorado .

If all these states succeed, bans could impact over 7 million SNAP recipients .

Potential Legal & Implementation Hurdles:

Defining "Junk Food": Iowa's broad "taxable foods" ban faces practical challenges. Will retailers clearly know what's blocked? How are borderline items handled (e.g., a trail mix heavy on candy pieces)? Lawsuits from retailers or advocates seem likely over vague definitions or misapplied restrictions.
Monitoring and Enforcement: Can state agencies effectively monitor compliance? Will cashiers become the "food police," leading to conflicts? Updating EBT systems item-by-item is complex and prone to errors blocking eligible items.
Effectiveness Challenges: Will recipients simply buy restricted items with cash instead, potentially stretching food budgets thinner? Will states see improved health outcomes justifying the cost and hassle? Evidence from prior, limited experiments (like a USDA pilot in the 2010s) is mixed and inconclusive.

8. Navigating the New Rules: Tips for SNAP Households

With changes rolling out, staying informed and proactive is key.

Know Your State's Status: Is your state implementing a ban (Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah soon)? Check your state SNAP agency website regularly for official lists of restricted items and start dates. Don't rely on news reports alone. Contact them directly if unsure .
Understand Work Requirements: If you're 50-54, a parent of a teen 14+, or a veteran under 55, understand the new 80-hour/month rule (work, training, volunteering combo). Track your hours meticulously. Report changes in work status immediately to your caseworker. Ask about exemptions – pregnancy, disability, caring for a disabled household member, or living in an area with high unemployment might still apply .
Prepare for Recertification: Stay on top of renewal deadlines. Submit paperwork early. Missing a recertification interview or document deadline is a fast track to losing benefits, especially with agencies potentially stretched thinner .
Budget for Potential Benefit Cuts: If you're in a working household with variable hours, budget knowing your SNAP might be reduced or cut if you dip below 80 hours. Explore local food banks before a crisis hits.
Advocate if Wrongly Denied: If you believe you follow the rules but lose benefits, appeal the decision! Every state has an appeals process. Get help from legal aid or local advocacy groups specializing in SNAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I still buy soda and candy with SNAP in my state right now?Probably, unless you live in Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, or Utah and it's after their start date (mostly Jan 1, 2026; Arkansas July 1, 2026). Before those dates, or if you live anywhere else, federal rules apply – soda and candy are currently allowed .

2. Does the new federal "Big Beautiful Bill" stop me from buying junk food?No. The federal law signed July 4, 2025, does not ban any specific food items like soda or candy from SNAP. Those bans are only happening through state-specific waivers approved by the USDA .

3. I'm 52 and can't find full-time work. Will I lose SNAP?Possibly, yes, under the new law. Adults aged 50-54 without young children or disabilities now fall under the "ABAWD" rules. This means you can only get SNAP for 3 months within a 3-year period unless you meet the 80-hour-per-month work/training requirement. Check if any exemptions apply (like a partial disability or living in a high-unemployment area) and report any changes immediately .

4. Why is my state talking about cutting SNAP if the federal government pays?The new law starting in 2028 penalizes states with high error rates (overpayments or underpayments) by making them pay 5%-15% of the actual benefit costs. Most states have high error rates. Since states can't run deficits, they might cut enrollment, benefits, or other services to afford this new cost .

5. I live in Iowa. What exactly won't I be able to buy with SNAP after Jan 2026?Iowa plans to ban SNAP purchases on most items classified as "taxable" under Iowa sales tax law, excluding basic groceries. Based on this, expect bans on:

Candy
Ready-to-eat flavored popcorn (caramel, kettle corn)
Marshmallows
Soda
Fruit/vegetable drinks with less than 50% real juiceWait for the official list from the Iowa Department of Human Services closer to January 2026.