Six US States to Ban SNAP Recipients from Buying Junk Food in 2026

Six more US states will soon ban SNAP recipients from buying junk food with their benefits. The new rules, approved by the US Department of Agriculture, will take effect in 2026. These states join 12 others that have already introduced similar restrictions on sugary and highly processed foods.

The states implementing the new bans are Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Most will begin enforcing the rules on 1 January 2026. The restrictions will mainly cover soda, energy drinks, and candy, though exact details may vary by state.

This move is part of the Trump administration's *Make America Healthy Again* (MAHA) initiative. The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees SNAP, while individual states manage applications and eligibility. In fiscal year 2024, the programme cost over $100 billion, supporting more than 42 million people with an average monthly benefit of $190.59 per person. Despite these changes, 28 states have not adopted such restrictions. The USDA has granted exemptions to 22 states, allowing them to set their own policies on food limitations for SNAP recipients.

The new rules will limit what SNAP beneficiaries can purchase in the six affected states. With 18 states now enforcing some form of restriction, the policy shift marks a growing trend in public health measures. The changes will take full effect from early 2026.