If you or someone you know depends on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Texas, there is a big change coming. A new law—Senate Bill 379—just passed that will ban the purchase of sodas, candy, and other sugary snacks using SNAP benefits. This move is part of a growing national conversation about what food stamp dollars should and should not cover.
The law was pushed forward by Texas state Senator Mayes Middleton, who said, “Taxpayer dollars should not be used to buy junk food.” It is the first time the state has successfully passed this kind of restriction after years of failed attempts.
When will the SNAP restrictions start in Texas?
As of now, the law has been passed, but it will take time before it is fully enforced. State agencies will need to work with the federal government to sort out the technical side—like updating systems and training store workers. There is no exact date for when the ban will take effect, but it is coming soon.
Once active, SNAP recipients in Texas will no longer be able to use their EBT cards to buy:
- Regular sodas
- Candy bars
- Sweetened beverages
- Certain snack foods high in added sugars
These restrictions are expected to impact thousands of low-income families across the state who rely on SNAP for their groceries.
Why is Texas banning soda and candy from food stamp purchases?
You might be asking, “Why now?” According to lawmakers and supporters of the bill, the goal is to promote better nutrition and reduce obesity, especially among children and vulnerable populations. Supporters believe that removing sugary products from SNAP will encourage healthier food choices.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, also a Texan, recently signaled that the federal government will support states that want to take similar actions. That opened the door for Texas to finally pass this bill.
But not everyone agrees. Critics say that this type of ban could create confusion at the checkout and may even lead to shame or judgment for people using SNAP. Some food advocacy groups argue that limiting food choices does not address the real issue—lack of access to affordable, healthy foods.
How will this affect SNAP recipients in Texas?
This change is likely to hit hard for many families already trying to stretch their food budgets. If you are a SNAP recipient, you will need to pay cash for any sugary snacks or sodas you want to buy, even if you used to cover them with your benefits.
Many worry this law could be the start of more restrictions. People are asking: What will be banned next? For now, the focus is on sugar-sweetened items, but lawmakers say they want to continue pushing for what they call “nutritional standards” in SNAP spending.
What should SNAP users do now?
While the ban is not yet active, it is a good idea to start planning. SNAP recipients may want to:
- Keep an eye on news from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Ask their local grocery stores for updates
- Look into nutrition programs that can help with healthy food choices
Whether you support the ban or not, it is clear that this change will shift how thousands of Texans shop for their groceries.
