Virginia SNAP sweetened drink ban: What you should know about the new rules
Virginia has new SNAP restrictions on "sweetened beverages” starting on April 1, 2026. These new rules limit which drinks you can buy with your SNAP benefits.
These changes will apply to every SNAP purchase made in Virginia, including at grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets, and online retailers. Here’s a breakdown of what is changing and which types of drinks are now banned for purchase with SNAP benefits in Virginia.
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What are the newly restricted drinks in Virginia?#what-are-the-newly-restricted-drinks-in-virginia
You will no longer be able to use your SNAP benefits to buy certain “sweetened beverages” in Virginia as of April 1, 2026.
This applies to any drinks made with carbonated water that are flavored or sweetened with more than five grams of added sugar or artificial sweetener, which can include:
- Soda, including regular and diet or ”zero” soda
- Pop and “soft drinks”
- Energy drinks
It will be up to retailers to figure out which specific products are now ineligible based on the new rules—for example, some alternative sodas that have very low amounts of sugar may not be included in the ban.
How do the new drink restrictions work?#how-do-the-new-drink-restrictions-work
According to the new rules, “sweetened beverages” are drinks made with carbonated water that are flavored or sweetened with added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
This includes many drinks you probably think of as soda, like regular soda, diet or zero-sugar soda, pop, soft drinks, and energy drinks.
But not all carbonated drinks are considered “sweetened beverages” and subject to the ban in Virginia. Plain or naturally flavored sparkling water and any drinks that contain less than five grams of added sugar are not included in the ban and can still be purchased with SNAP.
Virginia’s rules also exclude several other types of drinks from the definition of “sweetened beverages.” The following drinks are not restricted and remain SNAP-eligible, meaning you can still buy them with your EBT card:
- Non-carbonated drinks, even if they're sweetened, like sweetened iced tea, lemonade, or juice
- Milk and milk-based alternatives, like chocolate milk, almond milk, or yogurt drinks
- Plain or naturally flavored bottled mineral water
- Infant formula and medically necessary nutrition drinks, like meal replacement shakes
- Hydration-focused sports drinks, including both sugar-free and regular electrolyte or isotonic drinks
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.
- Look for “low sugar” or “unsweetened” versions of an item: Because Virginia restricts drinks 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 juice with SNAP in Virginia?#can-i-still-buy-juice-with-snap-in-virginia
Yes—you can still buy non-carbonated juice with your SNAP benefits in Virginia. The ban only applies to sweetened beverages made with carbonated water that contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Non-carbonated drinks like fruit juice or vegetable juice, even if sweetened, remain eligible for purchase with SNAP.
Can I buy frozen pizza with my SNAP benefits in Virginia?#can-i-buy-frozen-pizza-with-my-snap-benefits-in-virginia
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 Virginia?#can-i-buy-hot-food-with-my-ebt-card-in-virginia
No—you still can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy hot food in Virginia.
