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Nearly 2,7 millones de beneficiarios del SNAP en cinco estados de Estados Unidos afrontarán nuevas restricciones para comprar alimentos y bebidas con la ayuda federal. The policy shifts, slated to roll out between late August and October 2026, aim to exclude items such as soft drinks, candy, and energy drinks from program eligibility.
State Rollout Schedules and Affected Caseloads
According to the U.S. Data from the USDA shows that these five states encompassed more than 2,6 million SNAP participants in April 2026. Ohio accounts for the largest share of the affected population, with 1.341.017 participants registered that month, followed by Virginia with 710.416, South Carolina with 495.445, Montana with 71.103, and North Dakota with 51.706.
Specific Product Bans and Exemptions
Retailers in the participating states must configure checkout systems to block specific non-eligible items while monthly benefit amounts remain unchanged. In South Carolina, the restrictions apply to candy, energy drinks, and sugary sodas, though diet and sugar-free sodas remain eligible, according to state guidance. North Dakota's Department of Health and Human Services announced exclusions for beverages containing at least five grams of added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or less than 50% fruit or vegetable juice, which covers sports drinks, sweetened teas, and bottled coffees with at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per eight fluid ounces. Montana will prohibit candy, high-sugar beverages, energy drinks, and long-shelf-life prepared desserts, defining restricted high-sugar drinks as those exceeding 10 grams of sugar per 236 milliliters. Ohio's retailer guidelines state that SNAP will no longer cover beverages containing sugar, corn syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup as a primary ingredient, alongside all fountain drinks.
Health Policy Debate and Federal Context
The restrictions align with the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, supported by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, who argued in statements that federal assistance should prioritize nutrition over products linked to chronic health issues. Conversely, federal courts have scrutinized related administrative actions. On June 22, 2026, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled that the USDA exceeded its legal authority by approving similar restrictions for Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia through administrative pathways meant for efficiency pilot projects rather than health initiatives. Meanwhile, nationwide SNAP enrollment figures reflect broader legislative adjustments. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in July 2025, altered work requirements and non-citizen eligibility rules, contributing to an 11% drop in national participation—exceeding millions of individuals—between July 2025 and April 2026, based on data compiled by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
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