US SNAP sugary beverage restriction policies

Under the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, several U.S. states have implemented or proposed waivers to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for sugary beverages. Research indicates these restrictions have led to a decline in sugary drink purchases by approximately 12.4 to 13 percent among SNAP households, as recipients appear to treat benefits as a separate budget rather than substituting with personal cash.

However, the implementation of these policies faces significant legal and administrative hurdles. A federal judge blocked waivers in five states—Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia—citing concerns regarding administrative procedures and the definition of “food”. In response, the USDA has filed a notice of appeal in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Additionally, administrative delays have emerged at the state level. In Ohio, a planned ban on beverages containing sugar or corn syrup as primary or secondary ingredients has been paused at the request of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration to allow for formal notice in the Federal Register and the assessment of public comments. While some states face delays or legal blocks, others, such as Arkansas, maintain existing waivers prohibiting the purchase of candy and soda.