Oklahoma SNAP soft drinks and candy ban: What you should know about the new rules
Oklahoma has new SNAP restrictions starting February 15, 2026. Under the changes, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to buy soft drinks and candy.
These changes will apply to every SNAP purchase made in Oklahoma, including at grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets, and online retailers. Here’s a breakdown of what is changing and which items are now affected.
Propel is the #1-rated EBT balance checking app
What are the newly restricted items in Oklahoma?#what-are-the-newly-restricted-items-in-oklahoma
These are the categories of foods and drinks that are restricted in Oklahoma as of February 15, 2026.
- Soft drinks, made with natural or artificial sweeteners, including soda, pop, cola, energy drinks, sports drinks, and flavored water
- Candies, like chocolate bars, gummies, hard candies, caramels, taffy, licorice, mints, and chewing gum
It will be up to retailers to figure out which specific products are now ineligible based on the new rules—for example, a carbonated drink made with more than 50 percent fruit juice may still be SNAP-eligible, even if it’s sold in a can or bottle like soda.
How do the new restrictions work?#how-do-the-new-restrictions-work
According to the new rules, candy includes sweets made mostly from sugar, sweeteners, or chocolate, with or without added ingredients like fruit, nuts, flavoring, or flour.
This covers most things that are commonly sold and recognized as candy, like chocolate bars (including ones with flour, like Twix or Kit Kat), hard candies, gummies, caramels, taffies, licorice, mints, and chewing gums.
However, not all sweet foods count as candy. Baked goods, like cakes, cookies, or brownies, are not considered candy under these new rules and will still be SNAP-eligible.
“Soft drinks” are defined as nonalcoholic drinks that contain natural or artificial sweeteners. This can include sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweetened bottled or canned teas and lemonades, and flavored waters with added sweeteners. Drinks can be carbonated or non-carbonated and are still considered soft drinks if they're marketed or labeled as “soda, pop, cola, energy drinks, or energy supplements.”
The beverages that are not considered “soft drinks” and are still allowed with SNAP include:
- Coffee and unsweetened teas
- Drinks that are more than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice by volume
- Drinks made with milk or milk substitutes (like soy or rice milk)
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.
- 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.
Balance your grocery budget and get access to deals with Propel
Frequently asked questions#frequently-asked-questions
Can I still buy juice with food stamps in Oklahoma?#can-i-still-buy-juice-with-food-stamps-in-oklahoma
Yes–you can still buy fruit and vegetable juice in Oklahoma with your SNAP benefits as long as it contains more than 50 percent juice by volume.
Can I buy energy and sports drinks with SNAP in Oklahoma?#can-i-buy-energy-and-sports-drinks-with-snap-in-oklahoma
Energy and sports drinks that contain natural or artificial sweeteners are considered “soft drinks” under Oklahoma’s new rules, so you can’t use SNAP to buy them. However, drinks that do not contain sweeteners, are mostly juice, or are milk-based, are still SNAP-eligible in Oklahoma.
Can I buy frosting and cake mix in Oklahoma with my SNAP benefits?#can-i-buy-frosting-and-cake-mix-in-oklahoma-with-my-snap-benefits
Yes—frosting and cake mix are not included in the candy definition and are still SNAP-eligible in Oklahoma.
Can I buy frozen pizza with my SNAP benefits in Oklahoma?#can-i-buy-frozen-pizza-with-my-snap-benefits-in-oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?#can-i-buy-hot-food-with-my-ebt-card-in-oklahoma
No—you still can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy hot food in Oklahoma.
