These US states ban processed junk food purchases with SNAP benefits. Is yours on the list?

Six more states in the US will implement new restrictions to prevent food stamps from being used to buy junk food. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr announced this week that six additional states had been granted waivers allowing them to restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used on certain processed foods and drinks.

This measure aims to take care of children's nutrition, as this aid is mainly intended for them, in this way it seeks to improve public health and promote more nutritious food among the beneficiaries, however, it has not been exempt from criticism.

6 more US states ban junk food

This week, the Trump administration approved six additional states seeking to ban food stamp recipients from purchasing processed food. Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas and Florida received federal waivers to adjust SNAP guidelines outlawing the purchase of junk food with state funds in 2026. Many people have applauded this determination, commenting that it will be an important factor in helping everyone to have better eating habits.


ALSO READ: $5,108 Social security August payment coming next week: Will you receive it? What to do if money doesn't arrive?

The SNAP helps millions of people of low-income families buy food each month by purchasing a variety of products at authorized grocery stores and supermarkets. But in recent years, concerns have grown about the use of SNAP benefits to purchase products high in sugar, fat and sodium, such as soft drinks, candy and ultra-processed snacks. This is why new restrictions have begun on the products that can be purchased with EBT cards.

Starting in January 2026, six states have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement restrictions that will prevent the purchase of foods considered "junk food" with SNAP.

Although the exact names of these states have not yet been officially confirmed, it is known that they are in the final phase of planning and coordination with the federal government.

"The new exemptions will limit the use of SNAP to purchase foods that do not contribute to a healthy diet," a USDA spokesperson explained. Colorado was the first blue state to adopt the measure.

“SNAP is a supplemental nutrition program meant to provide health food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Monday before signing the waivers.

“That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program, the law states it and President Trump’s USDA plans to deliver on it,” she added. RFK Jr has lauded the measure as a part of his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.

ALSO READ: US hit by summer Covid surge? Check states on high-risk list, symptoms and preventive measures

List of items you can't buy with SNAP food stamps

Arkansas

Start date: July 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices with less than 50% natural juice, unhealthy drinks and sweets.

Colorado

Start: March 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks.

Florida

Start date: January 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks, energy drinks, sweets and prepared desserts.

Idaho

Start: January 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks and sweets.
Indiana

Start date: January 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks and sweets.

Iowa

Start date: January 1, 2026

Restrictions: All taxable food as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except edible plants and seeds for cultivation.

Louisiana

Start: January 15, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks, energy drinks and sweets.

Nebraska

Start date: January 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks and energy drinks.

Oklahoma

Start: January 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks and sweets.

Texas

Start: April 1, 2026
Restrictions: Sugary drinks and sweets.

Utah

Start date: January 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks.
West Virginia

Start date: January 1, 2026
Restrictions: Soft drinks

ALSO READ: $1,702 stimulus check in August: Last chance to apply for PDF closes soon. Check key dates, eligibility, tax implication

From 2026, six more states in the United States will implement new restrictions to prevent food stamps from being used to buy junk food.

This measure aims to take care of children's nutrition, as this aid is mainly intended for them, in this way it seeks to improve public health and promote more nutritious food among the beneficiaries, however, it has not been exempt from criticism.

Although the aim is clearly to ensure better nutrition, many have spoken out against this imposition and some have even ventured to argue that having access to "junk" food, as long as it is in moderation, does not represent any harm to children.

Despite this, many users have applauded this determination, commenting that it will be an important factor in helping everyone to have better eating habits.

ALSO READ: Teens can be ICE agents as US drops age cap. Check eligibility criteria, benefits and more

These are the changes to SNAP for 2026

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps millions of low-income families buy food each month by purchasing a variety of products at authorized grocery stores and supermarkets.

In recent years, however, there has been growing concern about the use of these benefits to purchase products high in sugar, fat and sodium, such as soft drinks, candy and ultra-processed snacks. This is why new restrictions have begun on the products that can be purchased with EBT cards.

Starting in January 2026, six states have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement restrictions that will prevent the purchase of foods considered "junk food" with SNAP.

ALSO READ: Deadly Legionnaire’s disease outbreak in New York kills 3 and symptoms are similar to Covid. How you can protect yourself

Although the exact names of these states have not yet been officially confirmed, it is known that they are in the final phase of planning and coordination with the federal government.

"The new exemptions will limit the use of SNAP to purchase foods that do not contribute to a healthy diet," a USDA spokesperson explained.

“U.S. taxpayers should not be paying to feed kids foods, the poorest kids in our country, with foods that are going to give them diabetes. And then my agency ends up, through Medicaid and Medicare, paying for those injuries,” Kennedy said Monday.

“We’re going to put an end to that, and we’re doing it step by step, state by state,” he added.