Idaho SNAP junk food ban: What you should know about the new rules
Idaho has new SNAP restrictions on “ junk food” starting on January 1, 2026. These rules limit the 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 Idaho, 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 Idaho?#what-are-the-newly-restricted-foods-in-idaho
These are the categories of foods that are either fully banned or partially restricted in Idaho as of January 1, 2026.
- Soda, including regular and diet soda
- Candies and sweets, like chocolate bars, gummies, hard candies, and caramels
It will be up to retailers to figure out which specific products are now ineligible based on the new rules—for example, some packaged cookies sold in the candy aisle, or candies made with wafers, should still be SNAP-eligible because they’re made with flour.
How do the new food restrictions work?#how-do-the-new-food-restrictions-work
Shoppers will no longer be able to use their SNAP benefits to buy soda and candy in Idaho.
According to the new rules, “candy” includes anything made from sugar, honey, or other sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or similar ingredients, in the form of “bars, drops, or pieces.” It does not include items that use flour or that need to be refrigerated.
Soda refers to nonalcoholic drinks with sweeteners. But drinks with milk or milk substitutes and any beverages that are more than 50 percent juice are not considered soda and will still be SNAP-eligible.
Drinks that need to be prepared before drinking, like powdered drink mixes or drink concentrates, are also not considered soda, so you can still buy them with SNAP.
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.
- Check the ingredients: Some items may still qualify for SNAP based on their ingredients, even if they appear to fall under a restricted category at first glance.
- 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 juice with my SNAP benefits in Idaho?#can-i-still-buy-juice-with-my-snap-benefits-in-idaho
Yes—you should still be able to buy juice with your SNAP benefits in Idaho. The new ban applies to “soda,” which explicitly excludes drinks “with more than 50 percent juice.” So 100 percent juice drinks or ones with mostly juice should still be allowed under SNAP in Idaho.
Can I buy frozen pizza with my SNAP benefits in Idaho?#can-i-buy-frozen-pizza-with-my-snap-benefits-in-idaho
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 Idaho?#can-i-buy-hot-food-with-my-ebt-card-in-idaho
No—you can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy hot food in Idaho.
