Six states ban using SNAP benefits to buy junk food

Six additional states have been granted waivers to ban the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy junk food, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced recently. Knewz.com has learned that Kennedy appeared alongside FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins when Rollins approved six new waivers.

SNAP benefits to be used for their intended purpose only

The new measure gives states the flexibility to change how SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, may be spent in grocery stores. “SNAP is a supplemental nutrition program meant to provide health food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being,” Rollins said. “That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program, the law states it and President [Donald] Trump’s USDA plans to deliver on it.” Kennedy added in a statement, “For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy — products that fuel America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics. These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health.”

Six states ban SNAP benefits to buy junk food

The six states granted waivers this week are Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida and West Virginia. Beginning in 2026, SNAP participants in these states will be restricted from using benefits on categories of food labeled as “junk food,” such as soda, candy and other heavily processed items. Earlier in 2025, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Utah received similar approvals, bringing the total number of states with restrictions to 12.

What is SNAP?

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is federally funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. Benefits are distributed electronically through cards that can be used like cash at grocery stores. According to USDA data, the program served an average of 42.1 million people per month in 2023, representing about 12.5% of the U.S. population. “SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families,” the USDA states on its website. “Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income and other factors.”

Specific food and drink restrictions by state

While the details vary by state, most waivers limit the purchase of soda and candy. However, some states have gone even further. For instance, Arkansas banned fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, while Florida will bar SNAP funds from being used on “prepared desserts.” Iowa’s waiver is among the most sweeping, blocking benefits for “all taxable food items as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except food producing plants and seeds.” That definition includes gum, snack foods and many ready-to-eat products.

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