Texas Bans SNAP Candy Purchases
Texas will ban the purchase of candy and soda with SNAP benefits starting April 1, aiming to promote healthier choices among recipients. The controversial policy has supporters citing public health and critics arguing it limits food freedom and could stigmatize low-income families.
The new policy was set in motion by Senate Bill 379, passed during the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025 and signed into law in June of that year. The state then sought and received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in August 2025, allowing it to deviate from federal SNAP guidelines. This move was publicly supported by Governor Greg Abbott. The ban is specific, targeting nonalcoholic beverages with five or more grams of added sugar or any artificial sweetener. This includes most sodas and certain fruit-flavored drinks. However, it does not apply to beverages containing milk, milk substitutes, or more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice. Also banned are various candies, gum, and items like nuts or raisins that have been coated in chocolate, yogurt, or glaze. Texas is among a growing number of states to implement such restrictions on SNAP purchases, a shift from previously uniform federal rules. States like Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah have also moved to prohibit the use of benefits for items deemed to have low nutritional value. These changes are being implemented through federal waivers that grant states more control over their individual SNAP programs. The push to restrict certain food purchases with SNAP benefits has been a recurring debate. Proponents argue that the program's purpose, as its name suggests, is to improve nutrition for low-income families and that taxpayer funds shouldn't subsidize unhealthy options. However, critics contend that such bans are unlikely to change overall consumption patterns, may increase stigma for recipients, and create administrative hurdles for retailers.
