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Starting next year, residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah will no longer be able to use those benefits to purchase certain sugary beverages and snacks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved new waivers for the three states, expanding restrictions on SNAP-eligible foods as part of a federal initiative aimed at improving public health outcomes.
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The changes were announced following the signing of food choice waivers by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, in coordination with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. These waivers redefine what qualifies as an eligible food item for SNAP purchases in each state. Arkansas’ waiver, effective July 1, 2026, prohibits the use of SNAP funds to buy soda, artificially sweetened drinks, most fruit and vegetable drinks with under 50% natural juice, and candy. Idaho’s waiver, effective January 1, 2026, bans soda and candy. Utah’s waiver, also starting January 1, 2026, restricts only soft drinks.
These waivers follow similar changes previously approved for Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska. Prior to these approvals, SNAP guidelines allowed recipients to purchase any food product except for alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, and non-food items. With the new rules, SNAP users in six states will see limitations that supporters say are designed to curb chronic health issues linked to sugar consumption and poor diet.
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The new restrictions are part of a broader federal effort under the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which encourages state-led changes to nutrition programs. Officials argue the changes will protect taxpayer funds and promote better dietary habits among low-income populations. The states involved say the goal is to prioritize nutrition while reducing the long-term health care costs associated with diet-related illnesses. Residents in the affected states should prepare for these adjustments when shopping with SNAP benefits starting in 2026.
Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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