USDA Tightens Nutrition Rules for SNAP Benefits
The USDA has enacted stricter nutrition standards for purchases made with SNAP benefits, known as CalFresh in California. The reforms aim to encourage buying whole foods over processed snacks, which could change the selection of eligible items at checkout for participating households.
The new rules are part of a broader "Make America Healthy Again" initiative and coincide with a forthcoming final rule that will require the 250,000 retailers participating in SNAP to stock a greater variety of healthy foods. This includes an increase from three to seven varieties in each of the four staple food categories: fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. As of early 2026, 22 states have been granted waivers to enact their own restrictions on what can be purchased with SNAP benefits. These waivers primarily target sugary drinks, candy, and energy drinks. For example, in Louisiana, as of February 18, 2026, SNAP benefits can no longer be used for soft drinks, energy drinks, or candy. Similarly, Texas will implement a ban on candy and sweetened drinks starting April 1, 2026. The four most recent states to receive these waivers are Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming. In fiscal year 2025, Kansas had approximately 187,200 SNAP participants, Nevada had about 495,800, and Ohio had around 1.44 million. Wyoming had the lowest number of participants among the newly approved states, with about 27,122 recipients as of May 2025. Other states with approved waivers include Arkansas, with 240,400 participants in FY 2025; Missouri, with 662,400 participants in FY 2025; and North Dakota, with 55,300 participants in FY 2025. South Carolina had 591,400 participants in FY 2025, and West Virginia had 272,800 in the same period. The restrictions on "ultra-processed foods" are currently less defined, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA are still in the process of establishing a formal definition for the term as of February 2026. This lack of a clear standard means that, for now, restrictions are focused on more easily categorized items like sugary beverages and candy. The economic impact of SNAP benefits is significant, with studies from the USDA indicating that every dollar in SNAP benefits generates between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity. This supports local grocers, farmers, and the broader food supply chain. Concerns have been raised by some groups that the new rules for retailers could be burdensome for smaller stores, potentially causing some to stop participating in SNAP and reducing food access in some areas. The USDA's own analysis predicted that about 5,000 retailers could lose their SNAP authorization under the new stocking rules. While the goal of these changes is to improve the health outcomes of SNAP participants, some research suggests that simply restricting purchases may not lead to significant changes in overall diet quality. Anti-hunger advocates, like the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), have expressed concerns that these restrictions could create confusion and hardship for households that rely on SNAP benefits.
