SNAP Soda and Candy Restrictions: A State-by-State Guide for Retailers

A shopper sets a cola, a candy bar, a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread on the counter and pays with an EBT card. In a growing number of states, two of those four items can no longer be bought with SNAP benefits. Getting that split wrong at the register is not a small mistake: NACS warns retailers can risk losing SNAP authorization after two violations.

Since January 2026, states with USDA-approved waivers have been switching on restrictions on soda, candy and other sweetened items, and more start dates are coming in 2027. This guide lists the states and dates, explains what makes compliance hard and gives you a setup checklist.

This guide summarizes public sources as of October 2026 and is not legal advice. Rules are changing quickly, so confirm your state's current list with your state SNAP agency.

Key takeaways

• USDA's waiver list, updated April 22, 2026, shows 22 states with approved SNAP food restriction waivers, with start dates from January 2026 to February 2028.
• Restricted items vary by state. Most include soda or soft drinks, many include candy, and some include energy drinks, sweetened beverages or prepared desserts.
• NACS reports a federal judge struck down the waivers in five states in June 2026, and that USDA has appealed.
• Most states have not given retailers a clear list of restricted products, so stores must make product-by-product decisions.
• Your POS, payment processor setup, shelf tags and cashier training all need to match your state's rules.

What are SNAP restriction waivers?

SNAP waivers let a state change how the program works there. Under the current approach, USDA has approved state requests to restrict SNAP purchases of items such as soda and candy. Civil Eats reported in March 2026 that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had signed waivers bringing the total to 22 states, with eight more "in the pipeline."

For retailers, a waiver means that certain items that used to be SNAP-eligible in your state are no longer eligible from a set date. Customers can still buy them with another form of payment.

Which states restrict SNAP purchases, and when?

The table below follows USDA's waiver page as updated April 22, 2026. Check the USDA page and your state agency for changes since then.

*NACS reports that on June 22, 2026, a federal judge struck down the waivers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia, and that USDA has appealed. If you operate in one of these states, confirm the current status with your state SNAP agency before changing your register setup.

Why is compliance hard for retailers?

NACS, the convenience store trade association, has tracked the rollout closely. Its September 2026 update highlights several problems:

• Definitions differ by state. "Soft drinks," "sweetened beverages" and "candy" do not mean the same thing everywhere, and USDA's waiver page does not define them.
• Few clear product lists. NACS says most states have not given retailers a clear, usable list of restricted items, so stores must decide product by product.
• Real penalties. NACS warns retailers risk losing SNAP authorization after two violations.
• Real costs. NACS says retailers have had to update POS systems and shelf labels and train staff, and cites a study it co-led estimating upfront compliance costs of $1.56 billion across food retail.

Convenience stores carry a large share of this burden. NACS says they make up about 45% of SNAP-authorized outlets.

Your SNAP restriction setup checklist

1. Get your state's official guidance

Find your state's start date and any retailer guidance. USDA lists retailer contacts for some states, such as North Dakota and Hawaii, and state webpages for others, such as Kansas, Ohio and Wyoming.

2. Build your restricted item list

Go category by category: soft drinks, energy drinks, juice drinks, sweetened teas and coffees, candy, gum and desserts. For each product, compare the label with your state's definition. Record your decision and the reason, so you can show your work if questioned.

3. Set up item eligibility with your processor

EBT checkout depends on knowing which items in a basket are SNAP-eligible, so restricted items must be marked correctly before your start date. Ask your payment processor and POS provider exactly how eligibility is flagged and how a mixed basket is split, then update every restricted item.

4. Test before the start date

Ring up test baskets with restricted and eligible items together. Check that the EBT tender only covers eligible items and that the receipt is clear.

5. Update shelf tags and signs

Mark restricted items on shelf tags where your state allows or requires it, and post a short notice at the register. Clear signs reduce awkward conversations at checkout.

6. Train every cashier

Walk each cashier through what changed, how the split payment works and what to say: "SNAP can't be used for this item in our state, but you can pay for it another way." Review new products against your list every time you add them.

Do other SNAP changes affect retailers?

Possibly. Civil Eats reported in March 2026 that USDA was preparing a final rule on the foods SNAP retailers must stock to stay eligible, which Secretary Rollins said would more than double the required food varieties across four staple food groups. Watch for that rule alongside your state's restrictions.

How ShelfPerks helps

• EBT through your processor. EBT can be processed through ShelfPerks' payment processors in many states. Confirm availability for your state, and ask how SNAP item eligibility is set up, with your processor.
• Fast catalog updates. Inventory management lets you manage products, categories and prices in one place, with bulk import for large changes.
• Shelf labels. Product labels are included from the Standard plan up.
• Staff controls. Roles and permissions control who can change products or override a sale.
• Category reports. Real-time analytics show how soda and candy sales shift after your state's start date.

See how ShelfPerks works for convenience stores and grocery stores.

Frequently asked questions

Which states ban soda and candy purchases with SNAP?

USDA's list, updated April 22, 2026, shows 22 states with approved waivers, including Florida, Texas, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia. NACS reports that a court struck down the waivers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia in June 2026, with USDA appealing.

When do SNAP soda restrictions start?

Dates vary by state. Several began January 1, 2026, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia began October 1, 2026, Wyoming starts February 1, 2027, Kansas February 15, 2027 and Nevada February 1, 2028, according to USDA.

Can a SNAP customer still buy soda or candy?

Yes, with another form of payment. In states with restrictions, SNAP benefits cannot cover the restricted items, but the customer can pay for them with cash, card or another tender.

What happens if a retailer sells restricted items to SNAP customers?

NACS warns that retailers risk losing SNAP authorization after two violations. Build a documented restricted item list and test your register setup before your state's start date.

Does the state give retailers a list of restricted products?

Often not. NACS says most states have not provided a clear, usable list, so retailers must decide product by product. Contact your state SNAP agency for any guidance it has published.

Your next step

Find your state's start date today and build your restricted item list category by category. To manage your catalog, labels and reports in one system, try ShelfPerks with a 14-day free trial of Premium features, no credit card required, at grow.shelfperks.com.