SNAP Soda-Candy Bans Expand Jan 1 As USDA Warns Retailers Must Comply For In-Store And Online Orders

Washington, D.C. — Families who use SNAP in a growing number of states could see more “item not eligible” messages at checkout starting in early 2026, as states begin rolling out federal waivers that restrict purchases of products such as candy and sugar-sweetened beverages. 

In a Dec. 30 memorandum, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service said it has approved 18 state requests for “Food Restriction Waivers” and expects more, with several states launching Jan. 1, 2026 and others following in spring and summer. 

USDA said all SNAP-authorized walk-in stores physically located in a waiver state must follow that state’s restricted-item list for every SNAP transaction, including online orders picked up at or delivered from that store. 

For online orders filled from warehouses or fulfillment centers (not open to customers), USDA said retailers must apply the restrictions based on the shopper’s EBT card state, which can be identified using the card’s bank identification number (BIN). That means large retailers may need systems that handle multiple states’ rules. 

Enforcement will include a 90-day grace period after each state’s start date before USDA investigators begin compliance checks for restricted items, the memo said. After that, a first violation may trigger a warning letter, and a second may lead to involuntary withdrawal from SNAP authorization, with an appeal process available. 

Parents who rely on SNAP can reduce surprises by checking their state’s restricted-item definitions and watching for retailer signage or app updates as launch dates approach. USDA said approvals and implementation details are posted publicly and policies may be updated as projects expand. 

This article was produced by an education parenting today journalist with the assistance of AI. This is not legal advice. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.

Source: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/admin/foodrestriction-waivers-retailer-compliance