Florida officially changed the rules for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Monday, April 20, 2026, blocking the use of benefits for several categories of sugary snacks and drinks.
The move, which received federal approval last year, is part of a state-led effort to prioritize nutrition over “empty calories” for low-income households.
Under the new guidelines, shoppers can no longer use their EBT cards to buy soda, energy drinks, candy, or ultra-processed, shelf-stable desserts.
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), the agency overseeing the program, the shift is intended to “better align SNAP with its intended purpose: providing low-income households access to a more nutritious diet to help alleviate hunger and combat malnutrition.”
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The restrictions apply specifically to:
- Soda: Including both regular and diet varieties.
- Energy Drinks: Defined as beverages with 65mg or more of caffeine per 8 ounces.
- Candy: Chocolate, gummies, hard candies, and similar sweets.
- Ultra-processed Desserts: Pre-packaged, shelf-stable items like snack cakes and packaged pies.
Florida is one of more than 20 states implementing these types of restrictions under a federal waiver. The Department of Children and Families noted that by excluding these specific items, the state is taking a “proactive step to ensure SNAP benefits are used for more nourishing foods.”
Shoppers will still be able to purchase these items at checkout using other forms of payment, such as cash or debit cards, but they will be automatically declined if paid for with SNAP funds. Other items like coffee, tea, 100% fruit juice, and bakery goods remain eligible for purchase under the program.
State officials say the two-year demonstration project will be monitored to see how the changes affect the shopping habits and overall health of the families involved.
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