In one of the most impactful steps to encourage better eating behaviors, six states are leading the way. Starting in 2026, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, and West Virginia will limit junk food purchases with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This decision comes as part of ongoing efforts by federal and state officials to combat chronic diseases linked to poor dietary choices.
SNAP served an average of 42.1 million people per month in 2023, which is more than people, over 12.5% of the population. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, pictured above, signed the new waivers. This ruling opens the door for states to restrict goods altogether including items like soda and energy drinks. Within the last few months, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah were granted such waivers to reimagine SNAP. There, these changes will help make the unhealthy food choice the easy, cheap choice.
Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida and West Virginia are all preparing to roll out new guidelines. These guidelines will bar the use of SNAP dollars to buy soda. Arkansas will ban the use of SNAP for “fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice,” while Florida will restrict purchases of “prepared desserts.” Iowa is said to be working on its own limitations of whatever items, but has not yet revealed details.
These new restrictions disproportionately target public health issues that largely impact low-income and vulnerable populations. These communities disproportionately rely on SNAP benefits to ensure their food security.
“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.” – Brooke Rollins
Leading voices in the medical community have spoken out in favor of such changes. As he explained recently, SNAP has been wasting taxpayer dollars for decades. This funding is used to purchase soda and candy, two primary drivers of America’s diabetes and chronic disease epidemics. Perhaps his most impassioned point was that these waivers put real food back at the heart of the program. Together, they give states the responsibility and authority to protect public health.
Many experts doubt the efficacy of these measures. Dr. Darien Sutton pointed out that “there’s no evidence that taking away access to soda will actually fight these conditions.” He understood that sugar consumption was a public health crisis. “Sugar is just one of those bad guys you need to watch out for,” he said. He says cutting access is not the solution, even through programs like SNAP.
His success is partly due to the engagement of U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, who has been influential in the discussion of these reforms. The overarching goal remains clear: to encourage healthier eating habits among vulnerable populations while utilizing taxpayer dollars more effectively.
The SNAP program—the nation’s first line of defense against hunger—continues to support millions of low-income working people and seniors. It supports people with disabilities who are working to provide for their family.
“SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.” – USDA
States are already hard at work digging their heels in, trying to find ways to avoid making these changes. It’s unclear how meaningful these new measures will be in advancing public health goals. The debate continues regarding the best approach to foster healthier eating habits while ensuring food accessibility for those who rely on assistance programs.
