NGA SNAP Tracker

Implementation Date
July 1, 2026

Food Changes
Restricts soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, unhealthy drinks, and candy.
Flavored water, carbonated flavored water, sports drinks are not restricted.

Retailer Requirements
The state will use GS1 categories and GTIN numbers to determine which products are in and out.

Retailer Resources

• Arkansas SNAP

Implementation Date
April 20, 2026

Food Changes
Restricts soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts

Definitions

“Soda” means a beverage that is made with carbonated water and that is flavored or sweetened with added sugar or artificial sweeteners such as corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, and sucrose.

Does not include carbonated water which is plain or naturally flavored or any beverage that is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume or contains less than five grams of added sugar.

“Energy drinks” means a beverage containing at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per eight fluid ounces that are advertised as being specifically designed to provide metabolic stimulation or an increase to the consumer’s mental physical energy.

Does not include any coffee or tea or any substantially coffee or tea- based beverage.

“Candy” is a product that involves the preparation of sugar or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, caramel, gummies, and hard candies or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.

“Prepared desserts” means a processed, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat, pre-packaged sweet food intended for immediate consumption without any further preparation.

This would include foods mostly made out of “chemically” modified substances extracted from foods, along with additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance, and durability, with minimal whole foods

Retailer Requirements

The state will educate existing retailers about which items may be purchased with SNAP and will provide technical assistance to new and existing SNAP-authorized retailers.

The state will alert FNS of known suspected noncompliance.

The state intends to collect data from retailers on how the changes affect
shopping habits and to determine the impact of the restrictions.

Periodically check in with Florida Retail Federation, Florida Department of Children and Families, and FNS Retailer Services team at four, five, and six months post-FNS approval of the pilot for the purposes of gathering feedback and informing possible adjustments.

Retailer Resources

• Florida Department of Children and Families
• Healthy SNAP Florida (Recipients)
• Healthy SNAP Florida (Retailers)

Implementation Date

August 1, 2026

Food Changes

Restricts soft drinks

Definitions

“Soft drinks” are defined as any nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and is sweetened with more than 10 grams of sugar per serving. Soft drinks do not include a beverage that contains milk, milk products, soy, rice, or other milk substitutes, or that is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.

Retailer Requirements

May use retailer data to evaluate program efficiency.

Implementation Date

February 15, 2026

Food Changes

Restricts soda and candy

Definitions

"Candy" is any preparation of sugar, honey, or other sweeteners in combination with chocolates, fruit, nuts, or other ingredients in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.

"Soda" is any nonalcoholic beverage containing sweeteners, excluding:

• drinks with milk or milk substitutes, beverages with more than 50% juice, and products that require preparation before consumption.

Retailer Requirements

Retailers will need to use UPC-based filtering to ensure compliance.

Idaho has a Retailer Stakeholder Group to discuss implementation, develop messaging about restrictions, and communicate challenges. They are also creating a website and listserv to communicate about the changes.

They may employ secret shoppers to ensure compliance.

States plan to collect data from retailers to see how the changes affect shopping habits and whether SNAP users are traveling to other states to avoid the restrictions.

Retailer Resources

• Idaho SNAP Candy and Soda Restrictions
  • Includes communications toolkit with store signage, social media, and customer information cards.
• Retailer Support: [email protected]
• Idaho SNAP Retailer Information Page
• Idaho SNAP Customer Information Page

Implementation Date
January 1, 2026

Food Changes
Restricts soft drinks and candy

Definitions
Candy: A preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. The term does not include any preparation requiring refrigeration.

Soft Drinks: Nonalcoholic beverages that contain natural or artificial sweeteners. The term does not include beverages that contain milk or milk products, soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes, or are exclusively naturally sweetened using natural vegetable and/or fruit juice.

Retailer Requirements
The state will provide retailers with user-friendly pamphlets, posters, and decals for in-store displays, outlining the restrictions and their health benefits for staff and customers.
Retailers will be surveyed by the state to determine sales, product-specific trends, and operational observations. They will also encourage retailers to provide sales data for evaluation.
The state will employ secret shoppers to ensure compliance with the restrictions. Additional training will be provided to the retailers if they sell restricted items to SNAP customers.

Retailer Resources

• Self Attestation Form
• Indiana SNAP
• Smart SNAP: Healthy Choices, Stronger Hoosiers
• Smart SNAP Retailers
• Signage
• Shelf Labels

Implementation Date
February 15, 2027

Food Changes
Restricts candy and soft drinks

Definitions
"Candy" is defined as any preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops or pieces. Candy does not include any preparation containing flour and shall require no refrigeration.

Soft drink beverages are defined as any nonalcoholic beverages that contain natural or artificial sweeteners. Soft drinks do not include beverages that contain milk or milk products, soy, rice or similar milk substitutes or beverages that are greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.

Implementation Date
February 18, 2026

Food Changes
Restricts soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy

Definitions
“Soft drinks” are defined as any carbonated nonalcoholic beverage containing high fracture corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

It does not include flavored carbonated water nor does it include any beverages that contain milk or milk products, soy rice, or similar milk substitutes, or any beverage containing equal to or greater than 50% of vegetable or fruit juice by volume.

“Energy drinks” are carbonated or non-carbonated beverages containing a stimulant such as fortified caffeine, guarana, glucuronolactone, or taurine.

They may also include herbal extracts such as ginseng, mineral salts and vitamins, or high doses of organic acids, amino acids, inositol, sugars or other similar compounds in addition to sweeteners. Juices or natural fruit pulp or concentrates may also be added. Energy drinks are specifically formulated to enhance energy, alertness, or physical performance.

"Candy” means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. The candy exclusion includes any such preparation that also contains flour and is sold in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.

It does not include protein bars, granola bars, or baking ingredients such as sprinkles, chocolate melting wafers, toffee bits, or chocolate chips.

Retailer Requirements

Retailers will need to confirm compliance with the pilot prior to implementation.

Retailers will need to adjust POS, inventory, and any third party e-commerce systems to block SNAP purchases of restricted items.

Retailer headquarters should complete the state provided self-attestation form and retain a copy onsite.

Retailer Resources

The state will provide instore signage and staff training materials.

Implementation Date
February 15, 2027

Restricted Foods

Candy, prepared desserts, carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks, and energy drinks.

Food Changes

Candy means a product that involves the preparation of sugar or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, caramels, gummies, and hard candies or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.

Prepared desserts mean a processed, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat, pre-packaged sweet food intended for immediate consumption without any further preparation. This would include foods mostly made out of “chemically” modified substances extracted from foods, along with additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance, and durability, with minimal whole foods.

Carbonated and noncarbonated soft drinks, including but not limited to colas, ginger ale, near-beer, root beer, lemonade, orangeade

Other beverages include:

• All other drinks or punches with natural fruit or vegetable juice which contain 50 percent or less by volume natural fruit or vegetable juice.
• Beverage mixes and ingredients intended to be made into taxable beverages; liquid or frozen, concentrated or non-concentrated, dehydrated, powdered, granulated, sweetened or unsweetened, seasoned or unseasoned.
• Concentrates intended to be made into beverages which contain 50% or less by volume natural fruit or vegetable juice.
•  

Energy drinks, which are carbonated or non-carbonated beverages containing a stimulant such as fortified caffeine, guarana, glucuronolactone, or taurine. They may also include herbal extracts such as ginseng, mineral salts and vitamins, or high doses of organic acids, amino acids, inositol, sugars, or other similar compounds in addition to sweeteners. Juices or natural fruit pulp or concentrates may also be added. Energy drinks are specifically formulated to enhance energy, alertness, or physical performance. Under Missouri's definition, both soft drinks and energy drinks are intended for human consumption and are available in various flavors, formulations, and packaging. However, beverages marketed primarily as sports drinks to increase hydration, like Gatorade or medically necessary nutritional products, are not included.

Implementation Date
September 30, 2026

Restricted Foods

Restricts high-sugar beverages, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts.

Definitions

"High-sugar beverages" include nonalcoholic beverages that are made with carbonated or flat water and sweetened with more than 10 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces.

• It does not include carbonated or flat water that is plain or naturally flavored, artificially sweetened beverages, or any beverage that is greater than 50 percent vegetable or fruit juice by volume, meal replacement beverages, medical-grade electrolyte replacement beverages, milk, or milk substitute products.

"Energy drinks" include beverages that contain more than 6 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce, or more than 140 milligrams total caffeine per container, plus one or more of the following ingredients: taurine, guarana, glucuronolactone, ginseng, yerba mate, or other stimulants, including herbal stimulants.

• This does not include coffee, tea, or any beverages that are substantially coffee or tea-based

"Candy" includes shelf-stable preparations of sugar, honey, or other nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners, in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients, or flavorings, in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. Includes gelatin-based confections (gummies), licorice, hard candies, and compressed sugar pieces.

• This does not include baking ingredients, fruit snacks made with real fruit and no added sugar, granola, trail mix and similar products that are substantially nut and/or real fruit based, protein bars, or meal replacement bars.

"Prepared desserts" includes processed, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat, pre-packaged sweet food intended for immediate consumption without any further preparation. This would include foods mostly made from "chemically" modified substances extracted from foods, along with additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance, and durability, with minimal whole foods.

• This does not include store-made bakery items.

Implementation Date

February 1, 2028

Food Changes

Restricts "candy" and "sugar sweetened beverages".

Definitions

"Candy" is defined as any gelatin-based confections (gummies), licorice, hard candies, sugar, com syrup, or high fructose corn syrup-based pieces, compressed candies (Nerds, Starburst, Airheads, etc.). It does not include chocolate products, protein or granola bars, fruit or nut-based products, or items made or sweetened with natural, plant-derived sweeteners (stevia, monk fruit, allulose), artificial sugars, or sugar replacements polyols (xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, sorbitol).

"Sugar sweetened beverages" are defined as ready-to-consume or ready-to-mix non-alcoholic beverages that contain added caloric sweeteners (e.g., sugar, high-fructose com syrup) and meet one or more of the following criteria: soft drinks, whether carbonated or non-carbonated; fruit or vegetable drinks or juice blends containing less than 50% fruit or vegetable juice by volume with added calorie sweeteners. It does not include beverages containing milk, milk products, or milk substitutes (e.g., dairy, soy, rice beverages); 100% fruit or vegetable juices or juice blends; beverages that are intended for medical or oral rehydration use; sports or electrolyte-replacement drinks for rehydration use; coffee, tea, coffee or tea beverages, breakfast shakes, protein, or nutrition shakes, sports, drinks, or meal real replacement shakes; plain carbonated or non-carbonated water with no flavor and added caloric sweeteners (e.g. seltzer or sparkling water); diet beverages (defined as nonalcoholic carbonated or non-carbonated beverages with non-caloric sweeteners and no added sugars or calories), including those specifically represented to enhance energy or alertness; or frozen treats (popsicles, sorbets, ice creams, etc.).

Implementation Date
September 1, 2026

Food Changes
Restricts candy, soft drinks, and energy drinks

Definitions

“Candy” is defined as a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. It does not include any preparation containing flour or requiring refrigeration. It includes baking ingredients, including almond bark, marshmallows, baking chocolate (as bars, drops or pieces); chocolate or butterscotch chips

• Honey, sugar, molasses, maple syrup and corn syrup are allowable under this definition.

“Soft drinks” are defined as any carbonated, nonalcoholic beverages that contain water, a sweetening agent (including but not limited to sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners), flavoring, and carbon dioxide gas to create carbonation.

• Powdered flavorings and carbonated (flavored) water are excluded from the definition of soft drinks and remain allowable SNAP purchases.

“Energy Drinks” are defined as any carbonated or non-carbonated beverage containing a stimulant such as fortified caffeine, guarana, glucuronolactone, or taurine. They may also include herbal extracts such as ginseng, mineral salts, and vitamins, or high doses of organic acids, amino acids, inositol, sugars, or other similar compounds in addition to sweeteners. Juices or natural fruit pulp, or concentrates may also be added. Energy drinks are specifically formulated to enhance energy, alertness, or physical performance. Two categories include read-to-drink energy beverages and energy shots.

• Sports drinks for hydration, such as Powerade or Gatorade, are excluded from the definition of energy drinks and remain allowable SNAP purchases.

Implementation Date

October 1, 2026

Food Changes

Restricts sugar sweetened beverages.

Definitions

“Sugar sweetened beverages” are defined as any beverage with sugar, com syrup, high-fructose com syrup, or similar caloric sweeteners as the primary ingredient, or as the second ingredient if the first ingredient is carbonated water.

Implementation Date
February 15, 2026

Food Changes
Restricts candy and soft drinks

Definitions
“Candy” means any solid, semi-solid, or molded preparation of sugar, sweeteners (natural or artificial), or chocolate, with or without added ingredients such as flavorings, fruit, nuts, or flour, that is commonly marketed, advertised, or recognized as candy, chocolate bar, chewing gum, or similar confectionery. For purposes of this section, candy includes but is not limited to chocolate bars (including products containing flour such as Kit Kat, Twix, or similar items), hard candies, gummies, caramels, taffy, licorice, mints, and chewing gum.

‘Candy’ does NOT include:

• Baked goods, such as cakes, cookies, muffins, brownies, pastries, bread, or similar products that are typically subject to Cottage Food Laws or Food Freedom Laws;
• Items primarily identified and sold as bakery or bread products, regardless of sweetener content.

“Soft drink” means any nonalcoholic beverage that contains natural or artificial sweeteners, including soda, pop, cola, energy drinks, sports drinks, and flavored water, but excluding beverages that contain milk or milk substitutes, soy, rice, or similar dairy alternative ingredients, or that contain more than 50 percent, by volume, of fruit or vegetable juice.

In addition, “soft drink” includes any product, regardless of its ingredients or labeling, that is marketed, labeled, or advertised as a soda, pop, cola, energy drink, or energy supplement.

For purposes of this section, “soft drink” includes but is not limited to:

• Carbonated sodas
• Non-carbonated sweetened beverages
• Energy drinks, energy Supplements, and sports drinks (whether or not carbonated)
• Sweetened bottled or canned teas and lemonades
• Flavored water with added sweeteners

“Soft drink” does NOT include:

• Coffee or unsweetened tea
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice, or beverages containing more than 50% juice by volume
• Milk, milk substitutes, dairy-based drinks, or similar beverages

Retailer Requirements
Retailers will be expected to manage the restricted list through their POS systems.

The state will work with retailers to ensure that information is available in stores, so out of state travelers are aware of the state’s restrictions.

Retailer Resources

• SNAP Oklahoma Retailers Resource Center
• Healthy Food Waiver Attestation Form
• Prohibited Item UPC List
• Retailer Support: [email protected].

Implementation Date
August 31, 2026

Food Changes

Restricts candy, soft drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages.

Definitions

“Candy” is defined as a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.

• It does not include protein bars, granola bars, baking ingredients such as sprinkles, chocolate melting wafters, toffee bits, or chocolate chips, or items primarily identified and sold as bakery or bread products, such as baked goods, cakes, crackers, cookies, muffins, brownies, pastries, bread, or similar products.

“Energy drinks” is defined as beverages containing at least sixty-five (65) milligrams of caffeine per eight (8) fluid ounces that are advertised as being specifically designed to provide metabolic stimulation or an increase to the consumer's mental or physical energy.

• It does not include coffee or tea or any substantially coffee- or tea-based beverage.

“Soft drinks” is defined as any nonalcoholic beverage made with carbonated water and flavored or sweetened, or both, with sugar or other natural or artificial sweeteners.

“Sweetened beverages” is defined as any sweetened beverage, flavored or sweetened or both, with 5 grams or more of added sugar or other natural or artificial sweeteners, ready for consumption without further processing, such as sweetened coffee, tea, lemonade, and other noncarbonated drinks.

“Soft drinks” and “sweetened beverages” do not include

• A beverage that contains milk, milk products, soy, rice, or other milk substitutes.
• Any beverage consisting of 50% or more natural fruit or vegetable juice with no added caloric sweetener.
• Any product commonly referred to as “infant” or “baby” formula.
• Sports or rehydration beverages.
• Carbonated water beverages.
• Any beverage for medical use meaning any beverage suitable for human consumption and manufactured for use as a source of necessary nutrition due to a medical condition or for use as an oral rehydration electrolyte solution for infants and children formulated to prevent or treat dehydration due to illness.

Implementation Date
April 1, 2026

Food Changes
Restricts sweetened drinks and candy

Definitions
Sweetened drinks are defined as nonalcoholic beverages made with water that contain five grams or more of added sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener. Excluded from this definition are beverages: (1) containing milk or milk products; (2) containing soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes; (3) containing more than 50 percent of vegetable or fruit juice by volume; (4) containing natural sweeteners derived from plants (such as Stevia,
Stevia Leaf Extract, and Monk Fruit) with less than five grams of added sugar; or (5) considered medical grade electrolyte drinks used for illness related to dehydration. Medical grade electrolyte drinks do not include any beverage marketed primarily as a sports drink.

"Candy" is defined by Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 34, Section 3.293 (a)(4), as a confection made with natural or artificial sweeteners. Examples include: candy bars; gum; drops; taffy; nuts, raisins, and fruits that have been candied, crystalized, glazed, or coated with chocolate, yogurt, or caramel; and nuts roasted with a sweetener. The term does not include products used exclusively for cooking, such as chocolate bits and cake sprinkles and snack items as defined by the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 34, Section 3.293 (a)(14).

Retailer Requirements
Texas will use GS1 to identify categories of food prohibited under the demonstration project and communicate with retailers.

Texas will survey retailers as part of the evaluation process.

Retailer Resources

• Texas SNAP Food Benefits
• Texas HHSC Ambassador Toolkit
• Retailer Compliance Guidance
• Retailer GPC Brick Codes **List is not all inclusive
• Retailer Self Attestation Form
• Additional Information for Customers

Implementation Date
January 1, 2026

Food Changes
Restricts soft drinks

Definitions
"Soft drinks" is any nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and is flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. This definition does not include a beverage that contains milk, milk products, soy, rice, or other milk substitutes, or that is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.

Retailer Resources

• Utah What You Can and Cannot Buy with SNAP
• Communications Toolkit
• •  

Implementation Date:

October 1, 2026

Food Changes

Restricts sweetened beverages.

Definitions

“Sweetened beverages” are defined as any beverage that is made with carbonated water and that is flavored or sweetened with added sugar or artificial sweeteners such as corn sweetener, corn syrup, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, maltose, raw sugar, or sucrose. This includes items commonly referred to as "soda," "diet/zero soda," "pop," "soft drinks," and "energy drinks."

• It does not include
  • Non-carbonated beverages (even if heavily sweetened) such as iced tea, lemonade, and juice;
  • Milk and milk alternatives such as chocolate milk, almond milk, and yogurt drinks;
  • Medically necessary nutritional products such as infant formula and meal replacement shakes;
  • Hydration-focused sports drinks such as sugar-free and regular electrolyte or isotonic drinks;
  • Carbonated water which is plain or naturally flavored or any beverage that contains less than five grams of added sugar
  • Beverages that contain milk or milk products; soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes;
  • Mineral water sold in containers;
  • and Specialty foods that are liquids or that are to be added to a liquid and that are intended to be a substitute in the diet for more commonly used food items

Implementation Date

February 1, 2027

Food Changes

Restricts "sweetened, carbonated beverages".

Definitions

"Sweetened, carbonated beverages" are defined as any nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and is flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. It does not include beverages containing milk, milk products, soy, rice, or other milk substitutes, or that is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.