If you’re using EBT or SNAP benefits, you may have wondered whether there are limits on buying items like soda, candy, or chips. In recent years, several states have discussed or proposed banning junk food on EBT cards, arguing it could promote healthier eating and reduce misuse of funds.
This guide explains what states banned junk food on EBT, why these proposals exist, and what the USDA currently allows under SNAP rules. You’ll also find updates on what might change in the future and how to make the most of your benefits.
Understanding EBT and SNAP Food Rules
Before looking at what states banned junk food on EBT, it’s important to understand how the EBT and SNAP programs work and what they actually cover.
What EBT Covers
The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system allows households to use their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funds to buy food. You can use your EBT card at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and select online retailers for:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Bread, cereal, and grains
- Dairy products
- Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
You can also use SNAP benefits to buy seeds and plants that grow food for your household.
Why Some Foods Are Restricted
SNAP was created to support basic nutrition, not to cover all food types. That’s why certain items are not eligible for purchase with an EBT card. These include:
- Alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products
- Vitamins, supplements, and medicines
- Hot prepared foods and meals served in restaurants (unless under a special program)
- Non-food items like cleaning supplies or pet food
Some lawmakers believe sugary drinks, candy, and other processed snacks should also be restricted, arguing they don’t align with SNAP’s goal of providing healthy meals.
However, the USDA currently leaves decisions about junk food bans to individual states, which has led to ongoing debate and pilot proposals nationwide.
>>> Learn more: Can You Buy Fast Food With EBT? Eligible Restaurants by State
Why Some States Want to Ban Junk Food on EBT
The idea of banning junk food from EBT purchases has sparked debate for years. Supporters of these restrictions believe SNAP funds should focus on nutritious, essential foods, not items high in sugar, salt, or fat.
Several reasons drive these proposals:
- Promoting healthier diets: Many states aim to reduce health problems linked to poor diets, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. By limiting sugary drinks and processed snacks, they hope families will buy more fresh produce and healthy ingredients.
- Encouraging better use of benefits: SNAP benefits are meant to help families afford balanced meals. Lawmakers in some states believe removing junk food from eligibility could help households make more nutritious food choices within their limited budgets.
- Reducing healthcare costs: Unhealthy diets can lead to higher medical expenses over time. Advocates argue that improving nutrition through SNAP could lower public healthcare spending and promote long-term well-being.
- Aligning SNAP with nutrition guidelines: Supporters want the program to better reflect federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
However, critics say these restrictions could limit personal choice and make shopping more complicated for families already facing food insecurity. The USDA has so far been cautious, requiring strong evidence and logistical plans before approving any state’s request to restrict food items.
>>> Learn more: Food Stamps, SNAP vs EBT: What’s The Difference?
What States Have Banned Junk Food on EBT (or Tried To)
While no state has fully banned junk food on EBT, several have proposed or requested restrictions through waivers to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). These efforts aimed to limit or redefine what SNAP funds can purchase.
The table below outlines the states that have received a waiver from the USDA to restrict certain purchases, along with their proposed restrictions and target implementation dates.
| State | Target Implementation Date | Summary of Restricted SNAP Purchases |
| Arkansas | July 1, 2026 | Soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, “unhealthy drinks,” and candy. |
| Colorado | March 1, 2026 | Soft drinks (soda). |
| Florida | January 1, 2026 | Soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts. |
| Idaho | January 1, 2026 | Soda and candy. |
| Indiana | January 1, 2026 | Soft drinks and candy. |
| Iowa | January 1, 2026 | All taxable food items (except food-producing plants and seeds), which generally includes most candy, soda, and sweet snacks. |
| Louisiana | January 15, 2026 | Soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy. |
| Nebraska | January 1, 2026 | Soda and energy drinks. |
| Oklahoma | January 1, 2026 | Soft drinks and candy. |
| Texas | April 1, 2026 | Sweetened drinks and candy. |
| Utah | January 1, 2026 | Soft drinks (soda). |
| West Virginia | Jan 1, 2026 | Soft drinks. |
What Foods Could Be Affected by Future EBT Restrictions
If more states move forward with proposals to ban junk food on EBT, certain products could face tighter rules or be removed from eligibility. While no official list exists yet, lawmakers and public health groups often point to the following categories:
- Sugary drinks: Soda, fruit-flavored beverages, and sweetened teas.
- Candy and chocolate: Items high in sugar and low in nutrients.
- Processed snack foods: Chips, pastries, and other pre-packaged snacks.
- Energy drinks: Products containing caffeine or artificial stimulants.
- Desserts and bakery items: Cakes, cookies, and similar sweet treats.
These discussions focus on aligning SNAP purchases with nutritional guidelines to encourage healthier diets. However, opponents argue that banning these foods could create confusion at checkout and unfairly restrict personal choice.
For now, all these items remain eligible under federal SNAP rules, but states continue to revisit the idea as part of broader public health debates.
What USDA Says About Junk Food and EBT
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which manages the SNAP and EBT programs, has repeatedly stated that it does not support food bans based on nutrition content. According to the USDA, there are three main reasons for this stance:
- Implementation challenges: There are more than 600,000 food items in stores across the country, making it nearly impossible to define and track what counts as “junk food” consistently.
- Retailer burden: Requiring stores to separate or block specific items would place a heavy burden on retailers, especially small grocery stores and local markets.
- Personal choice and education: The USDA believes SNAP recipients should have the same freedom of choice as any consumer. Instead of restricting foods, the agency promotes nutrition education programs, such as SNAP-Ed, to encourage healthier shopping and cooking habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a free phone if you’re on SNAP?
Yes. If you receive SNAP or EBT benefits, you can qualify for a free smartphone through the Lifeline program. Apply with a verified provider like AirTalk Wireless to get a free phone plus unlimited talk, text, and data each month.
What states can you not buy junk food with EBT?
Currently, no U.S. state has fully banned junk food from EBT purchases. However, states such as Maine, Minnesota, and New York have previously requested restrictions, which the USDA denied.
What states are banning junk food with EBT?
As of now, no new bans have been approved or are active. Some states continue to discuss or study the idea, but the USDA still opposes food-based restrictions under SNAP.
Why do some people want junk food banned from EBT?
Supporters argue that EBT funds should go toward nutritious food like fruits, vegetables, and proteins, not soda or candy. They believe restrictions would help improve public health and reduce obesity rates.
Final Thoughts
Discussions about what states banned junk food on EBT continue, but for now, SNAP users can still purchase all approved food items, including snacks and beverages. The USDA emphasizes food education and access over restrictions, helping families make their own choices.
If you’re a SNAP or EBT cardholder, you can also stay connected through the Lifeline program with AirTalk Wireless, getting a free phone to manage your benefits, find nearby discounts, and access healthy shopping tools anytime.