Texas Bans SNAP Recipients from Buying Soda, Candy, and Sweetened Drinks

New restrictions aim to ensure SNAP benefits are used for nutritious foods, but impact on consumption patterns is unclear.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:41am

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Starting April 1, millions of Texans who rely on SNAP benefits will no longer be able to use those benefits to buy soda, sweetened drinks, or candy. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission approved Gov. Greg Abbott's push to change the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, barring SNAP participants from purchasing items with more than 5 grams of added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Some products like chocolate milk and Pedialyte will still be eligible, but the new rules are intended to steer SNAP dollars toward more nutritious options.

Why it matters

The restrictions on SNAP purchases are part of a broader debate over how taxpayer-funded nutrition assistance should be used. Proponents argue the changes will improve public health, while critics say it's an overreach that may not actually change consumption patterns. The outcome of this "demonstration project" in Texas could influence similar efforts in other states.

The details

Under the new SNAP rules in Texas, participants will be barred from using their benefits to buy candy, gum, and sugary drinks containing more than 5 grams of added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Certain products like chocolate milk and medical-grade electrolyte drinks will still be eligible. Shoppers will need to check labels to ensure juice options are unsweetened and contain at least 50% fruit or vegetables. Texas officials say the goal is to steer SNAP dollars toward more nutritious foods, but experts are unsure if the restrictions will actually change what people consume.

  • The new SNAP restrictions in Texas will take effect on April 1, 2026.
  • The changes were first approved by the state in August 2025.

The players

Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas who pushed for the SNAP restrictions on sugary items.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

The state agency that approved the changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Ed Bowlin

The director of SNAP state strategies who says it will take time to evaluate the impact of the new restrictions.

Celia Cole

The CEO of Feeding Texas, who says it's unclear if the restrictions will change consumption patterns.

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What they’re saying

“They will not be able to purchase certain sweetened drinks and certain sweetened candies.”

— Ed Bowlin, Director of SNAP State Strategies

“So it's unclear whether just restricting how snap benefits can be used is gonna have any real impact on people's consumption patterns.”

— Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas

“The idea of the restrictions in Texas is it's a Demonstration project to try to understand if these things make a difference, and in order to do that You really need to study and evaluate what changes actually were made.”

— Ed Bowlin, Director of SNAP State Strategies

What’s next

Texas officials say they will closely monitor the impact of the new SNAP restrictions and conduct a formal evaluation to determine if the changes lead to healthier purchasing and consumption patterns among program participants.

The takeaway

The debate over how SNAP benefits should be used continues, with Texas taking a controversial step to limit purchases of sugary items. While proponents argue the changes will improve nutrition, experts caution that restricting SNAP dollars may not necessarily translate to healthier eating habits. The outcome of this "demonstration project" in Texas could influence similar efforts in other states grappling with the complex issue of using public assistance to promote better public health.