In September 2025, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) submitted a formal waiver request to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to prohibit the use of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for purchasing certain junk food items, specifically soft drinks and candy.
The waiver was approved by the USDA in late 2025, making Florida the fourth state (after Oklahoma, Louisiana, and West Virginia) to implement a categorical restriction on sweetened beverages and confectionery. The ban officially begins January 1, 2026, and is set to run for an initial five-year period (through December 31, 2030), with possible renewal.
This change means that starting in 2026, SNAP recipients in Florida will no longer be able to use their EBT cards to buy soda, sweetened energy drinks, or candy at the register. This article explains the new rules in detail, what is and is not affected, how enforcement works, who is impacted, the state’s rationale, and practical advice for SNAP households in Florida.
Short Answer – Key Facts (Effective January 1, 2026)
- Effective date: January 1, 2026
- Items banned: Soft drinks (soda, sweetened teas, energy drinks with added sugar) and candy (chocolate, gummies, hard candy, gum)
- Enforcement: Automatic at point of sale – EBT system blocks the purchase
- Who is affected: All ~2.8 million SNAP recipients in Florida (no opt-out or exemptions)
- Other sugary items still allowed: Cookies, ice cream, sweetened yogurt, sugary cereals, fruit snacks, cakes, donuts
- Reason: Reduce consumption of “non-nutritive” items, improve public health, lower obesity/diabetes rates
- Status: Waiver approved by USDA in late 2025 after review of Florida’s September 2025 request
Exact Definitions from the Approved Waiver
The final USDA-approved definitions align with the September 2025 request and are nearly identical to those in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and West Virginia:
Candy
“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.”
Included examples: Hershey’s bars, M&M’s, Snickers, Kit Kat, Reese’s, Skittles, Starburst, gummy bears, Jolly Ranchers, lollipops, chewing gum, breath mints.
Excluded (still SNAP-eligible):
- Baked goods (cookies, brownies, cakes, muffins, donuts, pastries)
- Items primarily sold as bakery or bread products, even if high in sugar
- Baking chocolate, cocoa powder, honey, syrups for cooking
Soft Drinks
“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.”
Included examples: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sprite, Dr Pepper, root beer, sweetened iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch, Gatorade (regular), Powerade, Monster, Red Bull (sugared versions), sweetened flavored water.
Excluded (still SNAP-eligible):
- 100% fruit or vegetable juice (or >50% juice by volume)
- Milk, soy milk, almond milk, oat milk
- Unsweetened tea/coffee
- Diet/zero-sugar soft drinks
- Plain water, sparkling water
How the Ban Is Enforced
Enforcement is fully automated through the existing EBT infrastructure:
- Point-of-sale block: Retailers’ EBT systems read the product UPC code. If it matches a banned item in the USDA’s national database, the transaction for that item is declined.
- No manual override: Cashiers cannot bypass the block.
- Split payment: Customers can pay for banned items with cash, debit, or credit card, while using SNAP for the rest of the order.
- Database update: USDA updated the national UPC database in late 2025; stores were required to test the system before January 1, 2026.
- Error handling: If an eligible item is wrongly declined, contact DCF immediately for correction.
This is the same mechanism used in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and West Virginia.
Who Is Affected in Florida?
- All SNAP households — approximately 2.8 million recipients (over 5 million individuals) as of late 2025.
- No exemptions — the ban applies equally to working families, seniors, disabled individuals, children, and homeless recipients.
- Children’s purchases — Parents cannot buy soda or candy for school lunches, treats, or parties using SNAP.
- Urban vs. rural impact — Florida’s large urban areas (Miami, Orlando, Tampa) and rural counties may experience different access challenges.
Why Florida Implemented This Ban
The DCF waiver request (approved by USDA) cited the following reasons:
- Public health crisis: Florida ranks high in adult and childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related chronic diseases.
- USDA data reference: The 2011 report “Foods Typically Purchased by SNAP Households” showed SNAP households spent 9.25% on sweetened beverages and 2.10% on candy (similar to the general population).
- Program alignment: SNAP’s purpose is to improve nutrition and health; the state argued that excluding non-nutritive items better serves that mission.
- Long-term cost savings: Reducing consumption of sugary items could lower future healthcare costs for low-income families.
Critics, including Feeding South Florida and national anti-hunger advocates, argue the ban is paternalistic, ignores food access realities in rural and urban food deserts, and lacks strong evidence that restrictions change long-term purchasing behavior.
What Can You Still Buy with SNAP in Florida (Effective 2026)?
The restriction is narrow. All other SNAP-eligible foods remain fully purchasable:
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned)
- Meat, poultry, fish, eggs
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream)
- Bread, rice, pasta, cereal (including sugary cereals)
- Beans, lentils, nuts, peanut butter
- Coffee, tea, bottled water, 100% juice
- Candy (not included in Florida’s ban — still fully eligible)
- Cookies, cakes, donuts, brownies
- Baby food and formula
- Seeds and plants for home gardening
- Frozen meals, take-and-bake pizza
Note: Unlike Oklahoma and Louisiana, Florida’s approved waiver does not include candy — only soft drinks are restricted.
Practical Tips for Florida SNAP Recipients
- Check your cart before checkout — Many stores now display “SNAP ineligible” warnings for banned soft drinks.
- Bring backup payment — Have cash, debit, or credit ready for soda/energy drinks.
- Shop alternatives — Stock up on 100% juice, flavored water, unsweetened tea, or milk.
- Use farmers markets — Many double SNAP dollars on fresh produce.
- Appeal errors — If an eligible item is wrongly declined, contact DCF immediately at 1-866-762-2237.
FAQs
When does the Florida SNAP soft drinks ban start?
The ban begins January 1, 2026, following USDA approval of Florida’s September 2025 waiver request.
Will the ban apply to everyone on SNAP in Florida?
Yes — the approved waiver has no exemptions. It applies to all recipients, including seniors, disabled individuals, children, and working families.
Can I still buy soda or energy drinks with SNAP after January 1, 2026?
No — EBT will automatically decline soft drinks with added caloric sweeteners. You will need cash, debit, or credit to buy them.
What about diet soda, zero-sugar energy drinks, or unsweetened tea?
Diet/zero-sugar versions are not banned (no added sweeteners). Unsweetened tea/coffee and 100% juice are also still eligible.
Does this affect candy or other sugary items?
No — candy, cookies, cakes, ice cream, sweetened yogurt, fruit snacks, and sugary cereals are not included in Florida’s ban (unlike Oklahoma and Louisiana).
Why did Florida request this waiver?
The state cited high obesity and diabetes rates, USDA data showing SNAP households spend on sweetened beverages, and the goal of aligning SNAP with nutrition and public health objectives.
What if I disagree with the ban?
Contact DCF at 1-866-762-2237, your state legislator, or advocacy groups like Feeding South Florida.
For eligibility or application help, visit snapeligibilitycalculator.com or call Florida DCF.
This change marks a significant shift in SNAP policy in Florida. Stay informed through official DCF communications.