In September 2025, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) 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, candy, and other high-sugar, low-nutrient foods.
The waiver was approved by the USDA in late 2025, making Indiana the fourth state (after Oklahoma, Louisiana, and West Virginia) to implement a categorical restriction on sweetened beverages and confections. 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 Indiana will no longer be able to use their EBT cards to buy soda, sweetened energy drinks, candy, or certain other high-sugar items 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 Indiana.
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), candy (chocolate, gummies, hard candy, gum), and select other high-sugar items (e.g., sweetened fruit snacks, high-sugar baked goods in some cases)
- Enforcement: Automatic at point of sale – EBT system blocks the purchase
- Who is affected: All ~700,000 SNAP households in Indiana (no opt-out or exemptions)
- Other sugary items still allowed: Cookies, ice cream, sweetened yogurt, sugary cereals (with limits), cakes, donuts
- Reason: Reduce consumption of “non-nutritive” junk food, improve public health, lower obesity/diabetes rates
- Status: Waiver approved by USDA in late 2025 after review of Indiana’s September 2025 request
Exact Definitions from the Approved Waiver
The final USDA-approved definitions are broader than previous state waivers:
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
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
Other High-Sugar Items (New in Indiana)
Indiana’s waiver also includes select categories of “junk food” beyond soft drinks and candy:
- Sweetened fruit snacks (e.g., Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit by the Foot)
- High-sugar baked goods marketed as snacks (e.g., Little Debbie cakes, Hostess Twinkies, certain donuts) if sugar content exceeds 30% by weight
- Sweetened popcorn (e.g., kettle corn with added sugar)
Excluded from this category:
- Regular cereal (even sugary)
- Ice cream
- Sweetened yogurt
- Cookies and brownies
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 FSSA immediately for correction.
This is the same mechanism used for existing federal restrictions (alcohol, hot foods).
Who Is Affected in Indiana?
- All SNAP households — approximately 700,000 households (over 1.4 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, candy, or certain fruit snacks for school lunches or treats using SNAP.
- Rural vs. urban impact — Rural counties with limited fresh food access may feel the change more acutely.
Why Indiana Implemented This Ban
The FSSA waiver request (approved by USDA) cited the following reasons:
- Public health crisis: Indiana 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 junk food better serves that mission.
- Long-term cost savings: Reducing consumption of high-sugar items could lower future healthcare costs for low-income families.
Critics, including Feeding Indiana and national anti-hunger advocates, argue the ban is paternalistic, ignores food access realities in rural Indiana, and lacks strong evidence that restrictions change long-term purchasing behavior.
What Can You Still Buy with SNAP in Indiana (Effective 2026)?
The restriction targets soft drinks, candy, and select high-sugar snacks. 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 most sugary cereals)
- Beans, lentils, nuts, peanut butter
- Coffee, tea, bottled water, 100% juice
- Cookies, cakes, donuts, brownies
- Baby food and formula
- Seeds and plants for home gardening
- Frozen meals, take-and-bake pizza
- Regular popcorn, chips, pretzels
Practical Tips for Indiana SNAP Recipients
- Check your cart before checkout — Many stores now display “SNAP ineligible” warnings for banned items.
- Bring backup payment — Have cash, debit, or credit ready for soda/candy.
- Shop alternatives — Stock up on 100% juice, flavored water, fruit snacks (non-banned versions), or granola bars.
- Use farmers markets — Many double SNAP dollars on fresh produce.
- Appeal errors — If an eligible item is wrongly declined, contact FSSA immediately at 1-800-403-0864.
FAQs
When does the Indiana SNAP junk food ban start?
The ban begins January 1, 2026, following USDA approval of Indiana’s September 2025 waiver request.
Will the ban apply to everyone on SNAP in Indiana?
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 candy with SNAP after January 1, 2026?
No — EBT will automatically decline those items at checkout. 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 other sugary items like cookies or ice cream?
No — cookies, cakes, ice cream, sweetened yogurt, fruit snacks (non-banned versions), and sugary cereals are not included in the ban.
Why did Indiana request this waiver?
The state cited high obesity and diabetes rates, USDA data showing SNAP households spend on sweetened beverages/candy, and the goal of aligning SNAP with nutrition and public health objectives.
What if I disagree with the ban?
Contact FSSA at 1-800-403-0864, your state legislator, or advocacy groups like Feeding Indiana.
For eligibility or application help, visit snapeligibilitycalculator.com or call Indiana FSSA.
This change marks a significant shift in SNAP policy in Indiana. Stay informed through official FSSA communications.