Will I get in trouble for buying soda and candy with SNAP if it's banned in my state?
At a glance
- You won’t be penalized for buying an item with SNAP that is banned in your state, like candy or soda.
- Retailers may occasionally allow the purchase of banned items by accident.
- If soda and candy are banned in your state, you can still use your SNAP benefits to buy them in other states.
No, you won’t get in trouble for buying items like soda or candy with your SNAP benefits, even if they’re restricted or banned in your state.
If you mistakenly pick up a banned item, it will most likely be blocked at the register when you go to pay with your SNAP benefits. This means your EBT card can not be used to pay for the item at checkout, but you can still buy it using another form of payment, like cash, debit, or TANF.
However, if the item does go through and your SNAP benefits are used on soda or candy, you won’t face any penalties. The responsibility to block banned items falls on the retailer, not the shopper.
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Why can I still buy banned items at some stores?#why-can-i-still-buy-banned-items-at-some-stores
SNAP “junk food” bans are enforced at the store level. Once they go into effect in a state, retailers are responsible for updating their checkout systems and training employees so that restricted items can’t be purchased with SNAP.
In practice, enforcement can take time, as stores need to update their point-of-sale systems, correctly code restricted items, and may need to roll out changes across multiple locations. During this transition period, banned items may still go through at checkout when you scan your EBT card.
Because it’s not your fault, you don’t need to worry about being fined or charged later for buying a banned item. You also won’t face punishments like benefit reductions, account suspensions, or arrest.
Can I buy soda or candy in another state?#can-i-buy-soda-or-candy-in-another-state
Yes, if your state has restrictions in place, you can still use your SNAP benefits to buy soda, candy, and other “junk foods” in another state that hasn’t banned them.
For example, if you live in Louisiana—a state that has banned soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy—you can still buy those items with SNAP when shopping in a neighboring state without restrictions.
Tips for shopping in states with bans#tips-for-shopping-in-states-with-bans
If you live or shop in a state with SNAP food restrictions, here are some things to keep in mind.
- You can usually split your payment if some items in your cart are restricted while others aren’t. Ask the cashier to separate the transaction so you can use your SNAP on eligible items only.
- Traveling between states can change what you can buy. Your SNAP benefits will work according to the rules of the state where you are shopping.
- Bans apply by product category, not brand. For example, a soda ban doesn’t just mean a ban on Pepsi or Coke; any sweetened carbonated drink can be affected.
- Eligibility can change from store to store or day to day. As retailers update their checkout systems, an item that goes through with SNAP one day may be blocked the next.
