Twelve states are moving forward with restrictions on what can be purchased using benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, as reported [1] by The Independent Journal Review.
The new rules will prohibit recipients from buying sugary drinks, candy, and other processed items with taxpayer-funded assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under the direction of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, approved waiver requests from six additional states — West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas — allowing them to impose limits on SNAP-eligible purchases. They join six other states that had previously submitted similar proposals.
The effort is being promoted as part of a push to reduce obesity and promote healthier eating habits among low-income Americans.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly supported the initiative, saying taxpayer money should not be used to subsidize food and beverages linked to chronic health problems.
“We are spending $405 million a day on SNAP, and about 10% is going to sugary drinks. If you add candies to that, it’s about 13–17%,” Kennedy said.
“We all believe in free choice. We live in a democracy — people can make their own choice about what they are going to buy and what they are not going to buy. If you want to buy a sugary soda, you should be able to do that, but the U.S. taxpayer should not pay for it.”
Kennedy added, “U.S. taxpayers should not be paying to feed the poorest kids in the country food that will give them diabetes.”
KENNEDY SUGGESTS SUGARY DRINKS BAN IN SNAP🥂!
– U.S Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is urging states to ban the use of SNAP benefits for buying soda & sugary drinks,
As part of the broader;
“MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN” Policy 🇺🇸🇺🇸.VIDED Courtesy + Source📸: FOX NEWS ✅ pic.twitter.com/RqHH6cCY8N [3]
— Daily Tips✍️ (@tipcoinchat) August 4, 2025 [4]
Each state will roll out its restrictions on a separate timeline beginning in January 2026. Here are the currently approved restrictions and implementation dates:
The USDA has indicated it may consider similar waiver requests from other states in the future. No national ban is currently planned, and SNAP recipients will still be able to purchase most basic grocery items, including fresh produce, meats, dairy, and grains.