Montana SNAP junk food ban: What you should know about the new rules
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Montana has new SNAP restrictions on “ junk food” starting on November 1, 2026. That means that starting on that date, SNAP benefits can't be used to buy certain high-sugar beverages, energy drinks, candy, and shelf-stable prepared desserts (like packaged cookies) in Montana.
These changes will apply to every SNAP food purchase made in Montana, 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.
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What are the newly restricted items in Montana?#what-are-the-newly-restricted-items-in-montana
These are the categories of foods and drinks that you can’t buy with SNAP in Montana starting November 1, 2026:
- High-sugar beverages, including drinks made with carbonated or flat water that contain more than 10 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces
- Energy drinks with more than a certain amount of caffeine and certain other ingredients, such as taurine
- Candy, including gummies, licorice, hard candies, and other sweetened confections
- Shelf-stable prepared desserts, meaning certain pre-packaged, ready-to-eat sweet foods
It will be up to retailers to figure out which specific products are now ineligible based on the new rules. For example, a diet soda made with artificial sweeteners may still be SNAP-eligible, even though it tastes sweet, because Montana’s high-sugar beverage restriction is based on the amount of sugar in a drink.
How do the new food restrictions work?#how-do-the-new-food-restrictions-work
Montana’s new SNAP restrictions fall into two main groups: drinks and sweets.
Banned drinks#banned-drinks
Montana will restrict several types of drinks from SNAP purchases, including high-sugar beverages and energy drinks.
High-sugar beverages are nonalcoholic drinks made with carbonated or flat water that contain more than 10 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces.
Some drinks are excluded from this rule, meaning you can still buy them with your SNAP benefits. These drinks that are still eligible include:
- Plain or naturally flavored water
- Artificially sweetened beverages
- Beverages that are more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice
- Meal replacement beverages
- Medical-grade electrolyte replacement beverages, like Pedialyte
- Milk and milk substitutes
Energy drinks are also restricted if they contain more than 6 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce or more than 140 milligrams of caffeine per container, along with certain ingredients such as taurine, guarana, glucuronolactone, ginseng, yerba mate, or other stimulants.
Coffee and tea aren't considered energy drinks under this definition, although a coffee- or tea-based drink could still be restricted if it meets the separate, high-sugar beverage definition.
Banned sweets#banned-sweets
Montana will also restrict candy and certain shelf-stable prepared desserts, meaning you can no longer buy certain sweets with your SNAP benefits.
Candy includes shelf-stable sweetened products made with sugar, honey, or other sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients, or flavorings, in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. This can include:
- Gummies, like gummy bears and gummy worms
- Licorice, like Twizzlers and Red Vines
- Hard candies, like Jolly Ranchers and Life Savers
- Compressed sugar pieces, like Smarties and candy tablets
Some products aren't considered candy under Montana's rules and can still be bought with SNAP, including granola, trail mix, and similar products that are substantially made with nuts or real fruit, protein bars, meal replacement bars, and certain fruit snacks made with real fruit and no added sugar. Baking ingredients are also excluded.
Shelf-stable prepared desserts are prepackaged, ready-to-eat sweet foods that are intended to be eaten without further preparation. However, store-made bakery items are excluded, so a packaged dessert and a similar item made by a store bakery may be treated differently under the new rules.
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 buy groceries online with your Montana Access Card.
- 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 soda with food stamps in Montana?#can-i-still-buy-soda-with-food-stamps-in-montana
It depends on how much sugar the soda contains. Under Montana's high-sugar beverage definition, a drink made with carbonated or flat water is restricted if it contains more than 10 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces. Lower-sugar sodas, including some Poppi and Olipop drinks, may still be SNAP-eligible
An artificially sweetened beverage is excluded from the high-sugar beverage definition, so a diet or zero-sugar drink may still be SNAP-eligible unless it meets the separate definition of an energy drink.
Can I buy frozen pizza with my SNAP benefits in Montana?#can-i-buy-frozen-pizza-with-my-snap-benefits-in-montana
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 SNAP benefits in Montana?#can-i-buy-hot-food-with-my-snap-benefits-in-montana
No—you still can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy hot food in Montana.
Can I buy fast food with SNAP in Montana?#can-i-buy-fast-food-with-snap-in-montana
No—you can’t use SNAP benefits to buy fast food or other prepared meals from restaurants in Montana. Montana does not participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, which means SNAP benefits can only be used at authorized retailers for eligible food items that are meant to be taken home and prepared.
Can I use my Montana Access Card out of state to buy restricted items?#can-i-use-my-montana-access-card-out-of-state-to-buy-restricted-items
Yes. Montana’s SNAP food restrictions only apply to purchases made in Montana. If you shop in another state, that state’s SNAP purchase rules apply.
