Texas just won federal approval to stop SNAP dollars from buying soda and candy, setting up a test case that prioritizes nutrition and taxpayer value over junk-food spending.

Story Snapshot

• USDA approved Texas’ two-year SNAP waiver to exclude sweetened drinks and candy starting April 1, 2026.
• Governor Abbott credits the Trump Administration and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins for greenlighting the “healthy foods” plan.
• Retailers must update checkout systems and educate staff; the state will report quarterly results to USDA.
• About 3.5 million Texans on SNAP will see checkout changes; nutritious staples remain eligible.

What Texas Won: A First-of-Its-Kind SNAP Demonstration

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service approved Texas’ request to run a two-year demonstration that excludes sweetened drinks and candy from SNAP purchases beginning April 1, 2026. The approval amends the statutory definition of “food” for the Texas pilot and requires rigorous evaluation with quarterly reporting to the federal agency. State officials describe the project as focused on steering benefits toward real nutrition while testing operational and health impacts at scale under federal oversight.

Today, Governor @GregAbbott_TX announced federal approval of his request to prohibit unhealthy foods from SNAP benefits.

Starting April 1, 2026, SNAP recipients will no longer be able to use their benefits to purchase candy & sweetened drinks.

Read more: https://t.co/TskLRxDbKq pic.twitter.com/eIL0wB7GvO

— Governor Abbott Press Office (@GovAbbottPress) August 5, 2025

Governor Greg Abbott announced the approval on August 5, 2025, emphasizing that SNAP dollars should buy foods with real nutritional value and thanking USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and the Trump Administration. Texas’ Health and Human Services Commission will educate retailers, enforce eligibility rules, and coordinate rollout. The state plans system updates and store communication ahead of launch, acknowledging that participant and cashier education will be critical to minimize friction at checkout.

How It Will Work at Checkout and What’s Still Unsettled

Texas says the exclusions will cover candy and drinks with artificial sweeteners or with at least five grams of added sugar per serving, though the federal letter frames the categories as “sweetened drinks and candy.” Final definitions will be settled in implementation guidance and UPC lists. Stakeholders will watch how unsweetened milk, 100% juice, and non-caloric sweeteners are treated, and how mixed items are coded to avoid mistaken denials or disputes at the register.

Roughly 3.5 million Texans use SNAP, making retailer readiness and consumer clarity essential to a smooth transition. HHSC and grocers will recalibrate eligible item files and point-of-sale systems, train staff, and run public information campaigns. In the short term, stores may see longer lines and customer questions as rules change. Longer term, the data will show whether purchases shift toward staples and whether any substitution effects blunt intended nutrition gains or create new compliance challenges.

Watch: New SNAP rules in Texas restrict sweetened foods and drinks

Key Dates, Stakeholders, and What to Watch Next

The state submitted its waiver on June 26, 2025; USDA approved it on August 4; Abbott announced on August 5; implementation begins April 1, 2026, for two years unless modified. Governor Abbott, HHSC leaders, USDA FNS, and Secretary Brooke Rollins are the central decision-makers. Retailers are implementers, bearing training and tech burdens, while SNAP households will adjust purchasing patterns. Watch for technical definitions, UPC guidance, exemption lists, and quarterly evaluation reports that will inform any national policy shifts.

Broader industry effects are likely. Beverage and confectionery makers could see SNAP-redeemed sales contracts in affected categories, while grocers re-balance shelf space and promotions. If more states align on definitions and barcodes, compliance costs may fall over time as item classification standardizes. For now, Texas is the testing ground. The policy aims to protect taxpayer dollars, encourage healthier choices, and produce hard data to guide future SNAP nutrition rules without expanding bureaucracy or eroding individual rights beyond the program’s boundaries.

Sources:

Federal Approval Granted: Texas SNAP “Junk Food” Ban Takes Effect April 2026
Governor Abbott Announces Federal Approval Of SNAP “Healthy Foods” Waiver
Soda, candy to be banned from Texas SNAP benefits starting in 2026
Texas Food Restriction Demonstration | USDA FNS
SNAP benefits: Several states restricting ‘junk food’ purchases starting in 2026