New SNAP Restrictions in Five States: Impact and Debate

Nearly 2.7 million people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in five states will face new purchasing restrictions in the coming weeks. This change stems from the Trump administration’s initiative to exclude products such as soda and candy from SNAP eligibility.

Implementation Timeline

The new rules will be implemented in South Carolina starting August 31, followed by North Dakota on September 1, Montana on September 30, and both Ohio and Virginia on October 1. As of April, these states together had more than 2.6 million SNAP participants, according to the USDA.

SNAP Overview

SNAP provides monthly benefits to over 35 million low-income Americans to aid with grocery expenses. The changes will not alter the benefit amounts but will block certain products from being purchased with SNAP at checkout.

South Carolina

South Carolina will restrict SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages like fruit punch and lemonade. Diet and zero-sugar drinks will remain eligible. In April, the state had 495,445 SNAP participants.

North Dakota

North Dakota’s rules include candy, energy drinks, and sweetened drinks, excluding beverages with at least five grams of added sugar, any artificial sweeteners, or less than 50% fruit or vegetable juice. The state counted 51,706 participants in April.

Montana

Montana will ban candy, high-sugar drinks, energy drinks, and specific desserts. Beverages with over 50% juice, milk, and unsweetened options are exempt. Montana had 71,103 participants in April.

Ohio

Starting October 1, Ohio will remove eligibility for drinks with sugar as the main ingredient and all fountain drinks. Ohio had the largest SNAP population of 1,341,017 in April.

Virginia

Virginia will stop covering soda, diet soda, carbonated energy drinks, and certain sweetened sodas. Other non-carbonated drinks will remain SNAP-eligible. Virginia had 710,416 participants in April.

Ongoing Debate

The changes align with the administration’s health agenda, with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins advocating for SNAP’s focus on nutrition. Some researchers support removing sugary drinks to reduce health risks, citing evidence potentially linking soda consumption to health issues.

However, critics argue that the restrictions limit choice and should focus on providing healthier options. Health experts suggest promoting nutrition-rich foods, supporting local food markets, and offering dietary counseling to encourage healthier choices.

Legal Challenges

The policy has faced legal hurdles, with a U.S. District Judge ruling against the USDA’s authority in cases challenged by participants in other states. The judge stated that the USDA misused a provision for efficiency improvements rather than a health-centric approach.

Secretary Rollins vowed to continue the effort despite legal setbacks. The new rules remain planned for implementation in the five states.

Participation Trends

SNAP participation has declined, with significant drops seen after legislative changes in work requirements and eligibility criteria under The One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported a reduction of more than 4.5 million participants from July 2025 to April 2026.