Big Changes Coming to SNAP Food Benefits: Some Junk Food Soon Banned

Anton Davis
Published Sep 8, 2025


Starting in 2026, several states in the US will introduce new rules for people who get food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps.

Read about: Food Stamps: Clarifying Your Most Crucial Questions

These changes mean that some types of junk food will no longer be allowed to be bought with SNAP benefits.
 

What Foods Will Be Banned on SNAP?


The new restrictions will stop people from buying items like:
 
  • Sugary drinks (including regular and diet sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices)
  • Sweets (such as chocolate bars, candy, and chewing gum)
  • Certain packaged snacks (like chips and cookies)
  • Frozen ready-to-eat meals

These rules are meant to encourage healthier food choices for families who rely on SNAP.
 

What Foods Can Still Be Bought with SNAP?


You will still be able to buy:
 
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat, poultry, and fish
  • Dairy products, bread, cereal, and nuts

These changes mark a shift in SNAP policy, which used to allow almost any food with nutrition information to be purchased using benefits. If you use SNAP, be sure to check what is and isn’t allowed in your state as these new rules start.

-

Subscribe to secure your food stamps and learn more about this government benefit.

Related Articles

Everything You Need to Know about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)...

Updated as of September 8, 2025 With unemployment rates still above 3%, many are turning to government programs for support. One of the most well-known is the Supplemental Nutrit...

Extra SNAP benefits have ended, but there's ways you can alleviate the impact...

Key Points: The additional SNAP benefits that were provided during the pandemic will no longer be available as of this week. This is particularly unfortunate given the persistent prob...

The SNAP Program: The Most Important Information You Need to Know...

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a program that helps low-income families have access to healthy food. There are many ways in which someone can qualify to get help from the SNAP...

SNAP Benefits Renewal in September 2025 for Continued Food Stamp Support...

If you're one of the many people using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to help buy food, you may need to recertify soon. SNAP benefits don't automatically renew. This mea...

8 Vital Food Stamp Support Programs in the U.S.: Understanding the Fight Against Hunger...

Food assistance programs are critical in reducing hunger and improving the well-being of low-income individuals and families in the United States. These programs provide financial ass...

What is SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)...

Food Assistance programs in the United States of America date back to 1939, originally starting with a program called FSP, which debuted in New York. In 1961, the Food Stamp Act began distributing food assistance...


Get exclusive advice on finding unclaimed assets!

Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to priceless advice on how to find and claim your assets with ease.