6 more states ban using SNAP for soda and candy as list grows to 18
Six more states are joining the growing list of states signing waivers to ban using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for "non-nutritious items."
Last week , USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr., approved six new state SNAP food-choice waivers under the Make America Healthy Again initiative.
SNAP food-choice waivers, or SNAP Food Restriction waivers, allow states to restrict beneficiaries from using benefits to purchase "non-nutritious items like soda or candy."
The six newest states joining the list are Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
The waivers will amend the definition of "food for purchase" under the SNAP program beginning in 2026.
"President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose – nutrition," Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said.
"Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic diseases epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long."
Before Wednesday's signing, 12 states had already signed waivers, including:
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Arkansas
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Colorado
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Florida
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Idaho
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Indiana
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Iowa
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Lousiana
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Nebraska
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Oklahoma
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Texas
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Utah
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West Virginia
A majority of states included on the list have requested to restrict purchasing soda and soft drinks while some have requested to expand that restriction to candy and prepared desserts.
Iowa's restrictions include all taxable food items defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except food producing plants and seeds for food producing plants.
Implementation dates for the ban range from Jan. 1, 2026, and Aug. 31, 2026.
"With these new waivers, we are empowering states to lead, protecting our children from the dangers of highly-processed foods, and moving one step closer to the President's promise to Make America Healthy Again," Rollins said.
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