Food stamps and junk food: What you need to know
Food stamps, technically called SNAP, is a benefit program that allows recipients to use their benefits to buy any eligible groceries.
That includes things like fruits, vegetables, meat, beans, grains, cereal, and foods considered “junk foods,” including soda, chips, cookies, pretzels, energy drinks, and candy.
But Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, and Utah are changing the rules about what you can buy with SNAP starting in 2026, and banning SNAP-recipients from using their benefits to buy certain “junk foods.”
Several other states are also reconsidering whether SNAP benefits can be used to buy candy, soft drinks, and other processed foods. Here's what you need to know about upcoming SNAP restrictions on certain foods and drinks.
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What junk food can you buy with food stamps?#what-junk-food-can-you-buy-with-food-stamps
In most places, you can use your SNAP benefits to buy pretty much any food in the grocery store—SNAP basically allows purchase of anything with a “nutrition facts” label.
That includes staples like produce, dairy, grains, meat, seafood, beans, and nuts, as well as snack foods and treats like chips, candy, popcorn, soda, chocolate, cookies, and ice cream.
But starting in 2026, some states, including Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, and Utah, will ban specific items from SNAP purchases. The most common restrictions include:
- Soda and soft drinks: This includes regular soda, diet soda, and carbonated beverages. Some states will also restrict energy drinks, fruit drinks with less than 50 percent natural juice and other sweetened beverages
- Candy: Hard candy, chocolate bars, gum, and other confections will be ineligible for EBT in several states
- Snack foods: Some states are considering banning chips, cookies, and other packaged snacks from SNAP, though specific rules vary by state
- Frozen convenience foods: While basic frozen fruits and vegetables remain covered, some prepared frozen meals may face restrictions
Each state has different rules about what counts as restricted food, so what you can and can’t buy will depend on where you live.
If your state hasn’t added specific food restrictions to SNAP, then you’ll still be able to use food stamps to buy treats like soda and candy.
Which states are changing SNAP rules about junk food?#which-states-are-changing-snap-rules-about-junk-food
The federal government hasn’t changed what groceries you can buy with SNAP benefits nationwide, but some states have received permission to create their own restrictions around certain foods.
Six states now have approval to limit what you can buy with SNAP benefits as of June 2025:
- Arkansas is cutting soda, candy, and fruit drinks that contain less than half real juice from the SNAP program. The state is also evaluating “ other unhealthy drinks” that will be restricted.
- Idaho will ban soda and candy purchases. All nonalcoholic beverages containing natural or artificial sweeteners are included under the “soda” category, except for milk-based drinks, beverages that are more than half juice, and products you need to mix or prepare before drinking.
- Indiana will ban soft drinks and candy. The state has defined “soft drinks” as any non-alcoholic sweetened drinks, including drinks with sugar or artificial sweeteners, but not including milk-based drinks, soy milk, rice milk, or drinks sweetened only with 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice. The state has defined “candy” as treats made with sugar, honey, or other sweeteners mixed with chocolate, fruit, nuts, or flavorings. The definition doesn't include items that need to be kept cold.
- Nebraska will ban soft drinks and energy drinks, including any fizzy drinks that contain water, sweeteners (like sugar or artificial sweeteners), and flavoring. Energy drinks include drinks with stimulants like caffeine, guarana, or taurine that are made to boost energy or alertness. They can be fizzy or flat and may include vitamins, herbs, or fruit juice. Sports drinks that are marketed for hydration like Gatorade are not included in the ban.
- Iowa plans to exclude most items that get taxed under state law–this covers candy, gum, dried fruit or fruit candy with natural or artificial sweeteners, packaged popcorn, marshmallows, soda, flavored water, and juice drinks with less than half fruit content.
- Utah will ban soft drinks, which the state is defining as “a nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and that is flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.”
Most of these changes take effect January 1, 2026. Arkansas will wait until July 1, 2026 to start.
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Where else will restrictions on SNAP purchases happen?#where-else-will-restrictions-on-snap-purchases-happen
Several other states are exploring similar changes. Lawmakers in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Colorado have introduced bills to limit junk food purchases with SNAP.
Texas and West Virginia already asked federal officials for permission to make changes.
Altogether, these potential restrictions could impact over seven million people who depend on SNAP for groceries.
