Iowa SNAP junk food ban: What you should know about the new rules
Iowa 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa?#what-are-the-newly-restricted-foods-in-iowa
As of January 1, 2026, Iowa restricts any food item that is considered taxable under the existing state rules.
This generally includes:
- Soft drinks (carbonated and non-carbonated) like soda, lemonade, ginger ale, root beer, and orangeade
- Fruit drinks with 50 percent or less natural fruit or vegetable juice
- Sweetened water, whether it’s naturally or artificially sweetened
- Beverage mixes, like powdered drink mixes or liquid concentrates
- Juice concentrates with 50 percent or less natural fruit or vegetable juice
- Candies, like chocolate, gummies, hard candies, caramels, marshmallows, taffy, licorice, and jelly beans
- Gum and breath mints
- Candy- or caramel-coated items, like candy-coated fruit or ready-to-eat caramel-coated popcorn
- Sweetened baking chocolate (in the form of bars, pieces, or chips)
- Candy that’s meant for decorating baked goods
- Dried fruit leather and other similar products
- Mixes that contain candy as more than an “incidental” ingredient
- Granola bars (unless they contain flour)
It will be up to retailers to figure out which specific products are now ineligible based on the new rules—for example, some trail mixes that have candy pieces mixed in may be restricted, but certain mixes with only a small amount of candy may still qualify.
How do the new food restrictions work?#how-do-the-new-food-restrictions-work
Iowa is changing what counts as eligible food for SNAP, shifting from "any food or food product for home consumption" to "all nontaxable food items as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue."
This means that shoppers will no longer be able to use their SNAP benefits to buy taxable food items in Iowa (seeds and plants to grow food for your household to eat is an exception; you can still use SNAP for those).
According to the new rules, restricted taxable food items include carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks made with natural or artificial sweeteners and drinks with 50 percent or less natural fruit or vegetable juice. Sweetened water and “beverage mixes and ingredients intended to be made into taxable beverages” are also restricted and not eligible for SNAP.
Candies that are sold as taxable items, including chocolate bars, candy pieces, and items where natural or artificial sweeteners are used, are also restricted under the new rules. This includes mixes where candy is more than a minor ingredient.
Because restricted items are tied to Iowa’s taxable food definitions, whether an item qualifies for SNAP depends on how it is classified for sales tax—not just how it appears.
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 most food items 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.
- Keep a list of your go-to SNAP-eligible items: Knowing which items on your shopping list are still accepted helps make shopping quicker and less stressful.
- 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 cake mixes and cake frosting with SNAP in Iowa?#can-i-still-buy-cake-mixes-and-cake-frosting-with-snap-in-iowa
Yes—cake mixes and cake frosting sold as items for home baking are still eligible for SNAP in Iowa. Frostings and some other decorating ingredients not sold as candy in the form of bars, drops, or pieces are considered non-taxable food items in Iowa, so you can buy them with your SNAP benefits.
Can I still buy pop with SNAP in Iowa?#can-i-still-buy-pop-with-snap-in-iowa
No—most regular and diet sodas made with natural or artificial sweeteners can’t be bought with SNAP in Iowa once the new rules are in place. Soda water and unsweetened mineral water are exempt, as are milk products and drinks with more than 50 percent natural vegetable or fruit juice.
Can I buy frozen pizza with my SNAP benefits in Iowa?#can-i-buy-frozen-pizza-with-my-snap-benefits-in-iowa
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 Iowa?#can-i-buy-hot-food-with-my-ebt-card-in-iowa
No—you can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy hot food in Iowa.
