Texas to Restrict SNAP Purchases of Candy, Sweetened Drinks Beginning April 2026

Beginning April 1, 2026, Texans who receive SNAP food benefits will no longer be able to use their Lone Star Cards to purchase candy or sweetened drinks at grocery stores and other retailers across the state.

The change is part of a broader effort by Texas lawmakers and state health officials to encourage healthier food choices among SNAP recipients, while also aligning the state with new federal policy shifts around nutrition and public assistance.

What’s Changing for SNAP Recipients in Texas

Under the new rules, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase:

• Candy, including candy bars, chocolate, gummies, gum, taffy, and fruits or nuts that have been candied, crystallized, glazed, or coated with chocolate, yogurt, or caramel

• Sweetened drinks, including soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened teas, and other nonalcoholic beverages made with water that contain 5 grams or more of added sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener

These restrictions will apply both in-store and online, and all Texas retailers that accept SNAP are required to comply.

SNAP benefits can still be used to purchase essential grocery items, including:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, fish, and poultry

• Bread and cereal

• Milk and dairy products, including milk substitutes

• Beverages with more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice

Texas Health and Human Services says the goal is not to reduce benefits, but to shift how those benefits are used toward more nutritious food options.

Why Texas Is Making the Change

The restrictions stem from Senate Bill 379, passed during the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025 and signed into law that summer. The bill prohibits the use of SNAP benefits to purchase certain foods considered less healthy, including candy and sweetened beverages.

Following the bill’s passage, Texas requested a federal waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). That waiver was approved in August 2025, clearing the way for the changes to take effect in 2026.

As part of the waiver, Texas is also required to survey SNAP recipients before and after implementation to evaluate whether the policy leads to healthier purchasing habits.

This Isn’t Just a Texas Move

Texas is not acting alone.

Nationally, SNAP policy has been shifting after the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, a sweeping federal law signed on July 4, 2025, that introduced major reforms to SNAP eligibility, work requirements, and funding across all 50 states.

While the federal law does not mandate bans on specific foods, it explicitly allows states to apply for waivers to restrict SNAP-eligible items based on nutrition concerns.

So far, 18 states — including Texas — have requested and received approval from FNS to impose additional food restrictions under SNAP. Each state is implementing its own version of the policy, with different foods restricted and different start dates throughout 2026.

Eighteen states have received federal approval to restrict certain SNAP food purchases under nutrition-focused waivers. | Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Once all state policies are fully implemented, the restrictions are expected to affect roughly 31% of SNAP participants nationwide, with Texas and Florida accounting for a large share of that population.

What This Means for Local Families

For many Texas households, SNAP benefits help stretch already tight grocery budgets. Supporters of the policy argue that limiting candy and sugary drinks encourages healthier eating and reduces long-term healthcare costs.

Critics, however, say the change limits personal choice and doesn’t address larger issues like food prices, access to fresh groceries, or rural food deserts — concerns that have already sparked strong reactions online.

Regardless of opinion, the change is coming — and it will affect every SNAP transaction made in Texas starting April 1, 2026.

Staying Informed

Texas Health and Human Services encourages SNAP recipients to review updated guidelines and stay informed about what items are eligible before the changes take effect.

More information is available on the Texas Health and Human Services website: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/food/snap-food-benefits