Imagine walking into Walmart with SNAP benefits, only to be told you can’t buy a soda. Starting in 2026, this will be the reality for many low-income families in six additional states as major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Target enforce new restrictions on what can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds.
According to The Sun, US, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unveiled a plan to curb the use of SNAP benefits for unhealthy food items in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, and West Virginia, as part of a broader push to combat chronic diseases across America.
Earlier this year, similar waivers were granted to Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah, allowing state-level restrictions on SNAP purchases. These reforms signal a growing trend to reshape a program originally designed to ensure access to nutritious food for low-income households.
SNAP, once known as food stamps, is a federal program run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, providing electronic benefits that act like cash for food purchases. It serves a staggering 42.1 million people monthly—over 12.5% of the U.S. population—helping low-income workers, seniors, and the disabled feed their families based on household size and income. The new state waivers, however, aim to steer these benefits away from items deemed “junk food.” Think soda, candy, and energy drinks—items that critics argue contribute to America’s health crises like diabetes.
Health Secretary Kennedy Jr. has been vocal about the intent behind these changes. "For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy—products that fuel America's diabetes and chronic disease epidemics," he stated.
He further emphasized the goal of refocusing the program: "These waivers help put real food back at the centre of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health." This rhetoric aligns with the initiative dubbed “making America healthy again.”
But not everyone agrees with the approach. Dr. Darien Sutton, a health expert, questions the effectiveness, stating, "There's no evidence that taking away access to soda will actually fight these conditions."
Dr. Sutton also noted broader dietary concerns: "Sugar is one of those culprits that you always have to be mindful of regardless." He pointed out that U.S. dietary guidelines suggest men limit sugar to 35 grams daily and women to 25 grams.
Specific restrictions vary by state, but most of the 12 states with waivers will block SNAP funds for soft drinks. At least eight states are targeting candy purchases, while others are cracking down on energy drinks.
In Arkansas, even fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice are off the table. Florida is banning prepared desserts, and Iowa is restricting all taxable food items like gum and certain snacks, except for seeds or plants that produce food.
These rules raise a critical question for our liberty-minded readers: Is this government overreach? While the intent to curb chronic disease is noble, dictating personal food choices—especially for those already struggling—feels like a step too far for a program meant to support, not control.
For investors and savers, consider the ripple effects on retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Target. Restrictions on SNAP purchases could dent sales of certain product categories, potentially impacting stock performance in the short term.
More broadly, this policy shift underscores a tension between public health goals and individual freedom. SNAP was built to empower families to eat, not to serve as a nanny state tool—yet here we are, debating soda bans while 42 million Americans rely on these benefits.
So, what’s the takeaway? Stay informed about state-level changes if you or your community rely on SNAP, and keep an eye on how these policies might reshape consumer behavior or retailer strategies. Liberty isn’t just about markets—it’s about the right to choose, even when the choice is a can of cola.