12 states to restrict SNAP purchases through USDA waivers

Six more U.S. states have officially adopted waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture

bringing the total to 12 states to place restrictions on what kinds of food people can buy using SNAP benefits

On Monday, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed off on waivers for Florida, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Colorado

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

That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program. Twelve states total have now adopted USDA waivers with restrictions starting in 2026

The waiver stops SNAP benefits from being used to buy unhealthy items, such as things like soda and candy

Rollins says 20 percent of all SNAP dollars are spent on sugary drinks, prepackaged desserts, salty snacks and sugary treats

She says the Trump administration asked state leaders to get involved and come up with creative ways to help solve health issues plugging Americans One way is by not allowing taxpayer benefits to be used to purchase unhealthy items like soda candy and other junk

food. The number one purchase by SNAP recipients is sugary drinks. Each state, Arkansas, Colorado

Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia

will decide how exactly to enforce these new rules. In all 12 of the states that have waivers in place

people cannot purchase soda or sweetened drinks using their SNAP benefits. Some states, like Louisiana and Florida

have restrictions against using SNAP dollars for not just soda, but also energy drinks and candy

Other states, like Arkansas, won't allow SNAP dollars to purchase all the above

Plus, also fruit and veggie drinks with less than 50% natural juice

Prior to the waiver, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan. If you want more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit SIN.com