South Carolina SNAP junk food ban: What you should know about the new rules
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South Carolina has new SNAP restrictions on “ junk food” starting on August 31, 2026. These rules mean you can no longer buy certain drinks and sugary items with your SNAP benefits.
These changes will apply to every SNAP food and drink purchase made in South Carolina, 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 and drinks in South Carolina?#what-are-the-newly-restricted-foods-and-drinks-in-south-carolina
These are the categories of foods and drinks that are either fully banned or partially restricted in South Carolina as of August 31, 2026:
- Soft drinks, like soda
- Sweetened beverages
- Energy drinks
- Candy
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 may still be SNAP-eligible if it contains no added sweeteners, while a drink in the same aisle with added sugar may no longer be allowed.
How do the new food restrictions work?#how-do-the-new-food-restrictions-work
Under the new rules, SNAP recipients in South Carolina can no longer use their SNAP benefits to buy soft drinks, sweetened beverages, energy drinks, or candy, but the specific rules may be confusing. Here’s a closer look:
Banned drinks#banned-drinks
The state defines soft drinks as carbonated, nonalcoholic beverages with at least 5 grams of added sugar or other natural or artificial sweeteners, which includes most sodas.
Sweetened beverages include other ready-to-drink beverages that contain added sugar or other natural or artificial sweeteners, even if they're not carbonated, like lemonade.
However, several beverages are not considered soft drinks or sweetened beverages under these rules and will still be SNAP-eligible, including:
- Drinks that contain milk or plant-based milk alternatives, like soy, rice, almond, or oat milk
- Drinks made with at least 50% natural fruit or vegetable juice that contain no added caloric sweeteners
- Infant or baby formula
- Sports or rehydration drinks
- Carbonated water
- Drinks that are meant for medical use, including oral rehydration drinks for infants and children (like Pedialyte)
Energy drinks are defined as beverages with at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces that are marketed as providing mental or physical energy, like Celsius or Red Bull.
However, coffee, tea, and coffee- or tea-based beverages are not considered energy drinks, even if they contain similar amounts of caffeine, so you can still buy cold coffee drinks or iced tea.
Banned sweets#banned-sweets
Candy includes foods made with sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners combined with ingredients such as chocolate, fruit, nuts, or other flavorings that are sold in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.
However, the following items are not considered candy and will still be SNAP-eligible:
- Protein bars and granola bars
- Baking ingredients like chocolate chips, sprinkles, toffee bits, and melting wafers
- Bakery products, including bread, cakes, cookies, muffins, brownies, pastries, and crackers
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 EBT 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.
- Look for “low sugar” or “unsweetened” versions of an item: If your state restricts items by sugar level, some of these alternatives might still qualify.
- 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 SNAP in South Carolina?#can-i-still-buy-soda-with-snap-in-south-carolina
It depends. Under South Carolina's new rules, many sodas and other carbonated drinks can't be bought with SNAP. However, some carbonated beverages with little or no added sugar may still qualify, depending on whether they meet the state's definition of a restricted soft drink or sweetened beverage.
Can I buy frozen pizza with my SNAP benefits in South Carolina?#can-i-buy-frozen-pizza-with-my-snap-benefits-in-south-carolina
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 South Carolina?#can-i-buy-hot-food-with-my-ebt-card-in-south-carolina
No—you still can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy hot food in South Carolina.
Can I buy fast food with SNAP in South Carolina?#can-i-buy-fast-food-with-snap-in-south-carolina
No—you can’t use SNAP benefits to buy fast food or other prepared meals from restaurants in South Carolina. South Carolina 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.
