Eighteen states begin SNAP soda and candy bans under federal waivers
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, 18 states — including Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia — began enforcing federal‑waiver restrictions that bar SNAP purchases of soda, candy and other specified foods, a policy pushed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins under the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. Retail groups warn of longer checkout lines and steep costs (estimated at $1.6 billion upfront and $759 million annually), critics note prior USDA research and earlier administrations rejected similar waivers as costly with uncertain health benefits, and the change affects a roughly $100‑billion‑a‑year program serving about 42 million people, many in households with children, older adults or people with disabilities.
📌 Key Facts
- As of Jan. 1, 2026, 18 states have federal waivers in force that restrict SNAP purchases of soda, candy and other specified foods.
- The first five states where the waivers took effect on Jan. 1 are Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia.
- The waivers were approved under the Trump administration and are tied to a policy push led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins (framed by Kennedy as part of a 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative).
- SNAP is a roughly $100 billion-a-year federal program serving about 42 million people; 62% of participants are in families with children and 37% are in households with older adults or people with disabilities.
- Retailers and trade groups warn of implementation problems and costs: the National Retail Federation warned of longer checkout lines and shopper confusion, and the National Grocers Association estimates $1.6 billion in initial costs and $759 million in annual costs to retailers.
- USDA research and prior administrations previously rejected similar waiver requests as too costly and complex with uncertain health benefits; critics say the new restrictions could punish SNAP recipients and raise grocery costs for everyone.
- National food‑insecurity context: an average of about 14% of U.S. households reported food insecurity between January and October 2025, up from 12.5% in 2024 (offering context for the potential impacts of the policy).
- Separately, new federal SNAP rules taking effect in 2026 will require more able‑bodied adults to work or participate in job training at least 80 hours per month to maintain eligibility, part of broader SNAP policy changes.
📊 Relevant Data
In Indiana, non-Hispanic Black individuals comprise 26.5% of SNAP household heads, compared to approximately 9.3% of the state population.
Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2023 — USDA Food and Nutrition Service
In Iowa, non-Hispanic Black individuals comprise 15.2% of SNAP household heads, compared to approximately 3.9% of the state population.
Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2023 — USDA Food and Nutrition Service
In Nebraska, non-Hispanic Black individuals comprise 18.2% of SNAP household heads, compared to approximately 4.8% of the state population.
Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2023 — USDA Food and Nutrition Service
African Americans are more likely to inherit genetic traits that increase their risk of insulin resistance, a key factor in type 2 diabetes.
Is diabetes more prevalent among African Americans? — Optum Now
Genetics and racism contribute to racial-ethnic disparities in obesity, with non-Hispanic Black adults having a 49.6% obesity rate compared to 42.2% for non-Hispanic White adults.
Genetics and racism contribute to racial-ethnic disparities in obesity and comorbidities — Healio
📰 Sources (5)
- NPR reports that, with Trump administration permission, 18 states (not just the previously identified five) are imposing SNAP restrictions on candy, sodas and other specified foods beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
- The NPR piece frames these waivers as part of a broader wave of state laws taking effect in 2026, linking them to a multi‑state policy push rather than a limited pilot.
- The article underscores that the SNAP product restrictions are now in force as of Jan. 1, confirming implementation rather than just approval.
- Confirms that Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first five of at least 18 states that have obtained federal waivers to restrict SNAP purchases of soda, candy and other specified foods.
- Details that SNAP is a roughly $100 billion-a-year federal program used by about 42 million Americans, with 62% of participants in families with children and 37% in households with older adults or people with disabilities.
- Provides updated national food‑insecurity context: an average of 14% of U.S. households reported food insecurity between January and October, up from 12.5% in 2024 but down from 15.4% in 2022.
- Includes industry cost estimates from the National Grocers Association and other trade groups that implementing the SNAP restrictions will cost U.S. retailers $1.6 billion initially and $759 million annually.
- Adds expert and stakeholder reactions, including warnings from the National Retail Federation about longer checkout lines and confusion, and criticism from Food Research & Action Center’s Gina Plata‑Nino that 'punishing SNAP recipients means we all get to pay more at the grocery store.'
- Reiterates that prior administrations, relying on USDA research, rejected similar waiver requests as costly and complex with uncertain health benefits, contrasting that with the current Trump administration’s active encouragement and incentivizing of such waivers.
- Confirms that Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first five states where SNAP waivers restricting soda, candy and other foods will take effect starting Thursday, Jan. 1.
- Attributes the push for SNAP food restrictions directly to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins as part of Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, including a December statement framing current SNAP purchases as making people sick.
- Details retailer and expert concerns about implementation, including National Retail Federation warnings of longer checkout lines and confusion, and a National Grocers Association–backed estimate that restrictions could cost retailers $1.6 billion initially and $759 million annually.
- Notes that past USDA research had rejected such waivers as too costly and complex with uncertain health benefits, and that prior administrations denied similar state requests before the current Trump administration began encouraging and incentivizing them.
- More than a dozen states will raise minimum wages in 2026, including New York to $17 an hour in NYC/Long Island/Westchester and $16 elsewhere, and Washington’s statewide minimum wage to $17.13 (highest in the U.S.).
- Hawaii’s climate-related change is framed as raising the Transient Accommodations Tax from 10.25% to 11%, expected to generate about $100 million annually for environmental and climate projects.
- Several states including Indiana, Nebraska and Iowa will newly restrict SNAP purchases of candy and sugary drinks starting Jan. 1, 2026.
- New federal SNAP rules will require more able-bodied adults to work or be in job training at least 80 hours per month to maintain eligibility.
- Illinois will require employers to disclose when AI is used in hiring or employment decisions and bar discriminatory AI practices; Texas will criminalize certain AI uses, including creating sexual content involving minors, collecting facial or voice data without consent, or steering vulnerable people toward self-harm.
- Washington will overhaul DUI laws to allow some repeat offenders a second treatment-based chance while letting courts consider older DUI cases when setting penalties; California is expanding 'move over' protections for roadside workers and strengthening penalties for dangerous driving.