Florida SNAP junk food ban: What you should know about the new rules
Florida has new SNAP restrictions on “ junk food” starting on January 1, 2026. These rules limit which snack foods, sugary items, and processed foods you can buy with your SNAP benefits.
These changes will apply to every SNAP food purchase made in Florida, including at grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets, and online retailers. Here’s a breakdown of what is changing and which items are now banned or limited.
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What are the newly restricted foods in Florida?#what-are-the-newly-restricted-foods-in-florida
These are the categories of foods that are either fully banned or partially restricted in Florida as of January 1, 2026.
- Soda, including regular and diet soda
- Candies and sweets, like chocolate bars, gummies, hard candies, and caramels
- Packaged desserts, like packaged donuts, pastries, cookies, or snack cakes
- Energy drinks with added caffeine or stimulants
It will be up to retailers to figure out which specific products are now ineligible based on the new rules—for example, some alternative sodas that have very low amounts of sugar may not be included in the ban.
How do the new food restrictions work?#how-do-the-new-food-restrictions-work
Under the changes, SNAP recipients will no longer be able to buy soda, energy drinks, candy, or prepared desserts with their SNAP benefits in Florida.
According to the new rules, candy includes anything that is made from sugar or artificial sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruit, nuts, caramels, or other flavors that come in the form of “bars, drops, or pieces.” “Prepared desserts” refers to ready-to-eat packaged treats mostly made from processed ingredients.
Soda is defined as any carbonated beverage made with added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Plain or naturally flavored carbonated water, as well as drinks with more than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice or less than five grams of added sugar, are not considered soda and are still SNAP-eligible.
Energy drinks are any beverages with at least 65 mg of caffeine per 8 oz that are promoted to boost mental or physical energy. Coffee, tea, and drinks primarily made from them are excluded.
What this means for you:
- Some items that used to be SNAP-eligible may no longer ring up at checkout.
- You may see “item not allowed” messages when trying to purchase groceries online.
- You can still buy the item with another form of payment (cash, debit, credit, or TANF).
- You won’t get in trouble if you accidentally buy something that’s part of the ban because the store where you’re shopping allows it.
What is still SNAP-eligible?#what-is-still-snap-eligible
You are generally allowed to use your SNAP benefits to buy any food item with a “nutrition facts” label. This still includes:
- Fruits and vegetables, either fresh, frozen, or canned
- Proteins like fish, meat, eggs, and beans
- Dairy, like cheese, yogurt, and milk
- Grains, like rice, farro, and corn
- Pantry and cooking staples like cooking oils, spices, salt, and pepper
- Infant formula and baby food
What can’t you buy with SNAP?#what-cant-you-buy-with-snap
The new purchase restrictions are in addition to the items that you’re never allowed to buy with SNAP under federal rules, which include:
- Alcohol, tobacco, or vapes
- Vitamins, supplements, and medicine
- Hot food that is sold prepared and ready to eat, like rotisserie chicken or soup from a deli
- Pet food
- Cleaning supplies and household items
- Diapers and wipes
- Live animals (except certain seafood and animals slaughtered before pickup)
Quick tips#quick-tips
These new rules may take some getting used to. Here are a few quick tips to help make the transition easier and help you get the most out of your benefits.
- Look for “low sugar” or “unsweetened” versions of an item: If your state restricts items by sugar level, some of these alternatives might still qualify.
- Avoid self-checkout confusion: If you’re unsure about some of your items, regular checkout may be simpler because you can talk to a cashier if you need help.
- Use online shopping to test item eligibility: Online shopping carts may label items as “EBT-eligible” or “EBT not accepted” before you pay.
- Use the Propel app to track your balance and transactions: Propel gives you real-time balance and transaction info so you can see whether a purchase went through. It will also send you benefit updates and alerts to keep you up to date on all new SNAP state restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions#frequently-asked-questions
Can I still buy soda with SNAP in Florida?#can-i-still-buy-soda-with-snap-in-florida
No—soda with more than a certain amount of added sugar or artificial sweeteners can’t be purchased with SNAP in Florida. Plain or naturally flavored carbonated water, like unsweetened sparkling water, and drinks with mostly fruit or vegetable juice are still SNAP-eligible.
Can I buy frozen pizza with my SNAP benefits in Florida?#can-i-buy-frozen-pizza-with-my-snap-benefits-in-florida
Yes—frozen meals, like pizza, are still allowed, as is cold take-and-bake pizza that you finish cooking at home.
Can I buy hot food with my EBT card in Florida?#can-i-buy-hot-food-with-my-ebt-card-in-florida
No—you can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy hot food in Florida.
