Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday that the state has received federal approval for a waiver that will limit the use of federal food assistance benefits for some sweetened drinks and candy.
New SNAP Rules
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The new rules, which go into effect on April 1, 2026, will prohibit Texans from using their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase candy and most sweetened drinks. This includes beverages with artificial sweeteners or that have five or more grams of added sugar.
Abbott said that the change is intended to encourage healthier eating habits and ensure that government monies are spent on food with “real nutritional value.”
Effective April 1, 2026, SNAP recipients will not be allowed to use SNAP benefits to purchase:
Candy: Examples of items that cannot be purchased include candy bars, gum, drops and taffy. Nuts, raisins and fruits that have been candied, crystalized, glazed or coated with chocolate, yogurt, or caramel and nuts roasted with a sweetener are also not allowed.
Sweetened drinks: Examples of drinks that cannot be purchased include nonalcoholic beverages made with water that contain 5 grams or more of added sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener. (Items that can be purchased include beverages that contain milk or milk products; soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes; or have more than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.)
What they’re saying: “By restricting unhealthy foods from being purchased with SNAP benefits, Texas can help ensure the health and well-being of Texans,” Abbott said in a statement. “The new SNAP guidelines will ensure taxpayer dollars are used to purchase foods that provide real nutritional value.”
The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service granted Abbott the waiver earlier this year. The governor thanked Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Trump administration for their approval.
Molly Regan, Deputy Executive Commissioner of Access and Eligibility Services for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), believes the reform will help Texans “improve their health outcomes, well-being, and quality of life.”
The HHSC, which manages the federal program in Texas, is presently working to educate shops on the new limits.
Dig deeper: SNAP provides food assistance to around 3.5 million low-income Texans. The benefits can be used to purchase a wide range of items, including fruits, vegetables, meats, cereals, milk, and garden seeds.
