Texas Bans SNAP Candy Purchases

The policy shift was driven by the passage of Senate Bill 379, authored by State Sen. Mayes Middleton, who argued that "taxpayer-funded junk food turns into taxpayer-funded healthcare." The bill is part of a broader "Make Texas Healthy Again" initiative, which gained the necessary support from the federal government to secure a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in August 2025. This ban makes Texas one of the first states to enact such broad restrictions on SNAP purchases. The change will impact approximately 3.3 million Texans who use the Lone Star Card for their grocery needs. The state has allocated a one-time cost of $1.54 million, split between state and federal funds, to implement the new rules. The new regulations are specific, prohibiting the purchase of beverages with 5 grams or more of added sugar or any artificial sweeteners. The ban also extends to items like candy, gum, and snacks such as nuts or raisins that have been coated in chocolate, yogurt, or glaze. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is tasked with the rollout, which includes updating the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system and educating both recipients and retailers. Retailers are now working to update their systems to identify and block thousands of newly non-compliant products before the deadline. However, the policy has faced opposition from advocacy groups like Every Texan and Feeding Texas. They argue the law creates barriers to food access, places a significant burden on small retailers to enforce the complex rules, and could negatively affect people in food deserts with limited healthy food options. Critics also raise concerns about the stigma faced by SNAP recipients, suggesting the new rules could lead to confusion and negative interactions at checkout. Opponents argue that if the goal is to improve public health, the focus should be on broader issues of food ingredients and access rather than restricting the choices of low-income individuals.