The Trump administration has approved six more states to block the use of food stamps for purchasing soda and other junk food, intensifying a conservative effort to focus the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on nutrition.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday that Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee have received federal approval to bar the purchase of sugary drinks and other unhealthful items with SNAP benefits.
The move is a key component of the administration's "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative.
"We all know we're at the point where we must do something to correct the chronic health problems that Americans face," Rollins stated, noting that the six newly approved states join 12 others, bringing the total to 18 states preparing to implement new restrictions next year.
Under the federal waivers, which begin in 2026, states will be allowed to rewrite SNAP rules to block specific categories of junk food for up to two years, with the possibility of a three-year extension. For example:
- Arkansas plans to restrict soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, along with candy and other sugary products.
- Florida is preparing to prohibit soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts.
Rollins framed the waivers as a course correction after years of SNAP dollars flowing to sugar-sweetened beverages. A landmark Department of Agriculture study found that soft drinks were the single largest product category purchased by SNAP households at one major grocery chain, accounting for about 5% of their food spending.
Rollins emphasized the administration's goal: "President [Donald] Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose – nutrition. Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic diseases epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long."
However, the new rules face pushback from equity groups who argue the restrictions could disproportionately affect families living in "food deserts"—low-income areas with few full-service grocery stores—who often rely on corner stores that stock plenty of soda but limited fresh produce.