In June 2025, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) 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 soft drinks and candy. The waiver was approved by the USDA in late 2025, making Oklahoma the first state in the nation to implement such a broad categorical restriction. 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 landmark change means that starting in 2026, SNAP recipients in Oklahoma will no longer be able to use their EBT cards to buy soda, energy drinks with added sugar, 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 Oklahoma.
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 ~300,000 SNAP households in Oklahoma (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 OKDHS’s June 6, 2025 request
Exact Definitions from the Approved Waiver
The final USDA-approved definitions match the June 2025 request:
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).
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 OKDHS immediately for correction.
This is the same mechanism used for existing federal restrictions (alcohol, hot foods).
Who Is Affected in Oklahoma?
- All SNAP households — approximately 300,000 households (over 600,000 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.
- Rural vs. urban impact — Rural areas with limited fresh food access may feel the change more acutely.
Why Oklahoma Implemented This Ban
The OKDHS waiver request (approved by USDA) cited the following reasons:
- Public health crisis: Oklahoma 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 America affiliates and anti-hunger advocates, argue the ban is paternalistic, ignores food access realities in rural Oklahoma, and lacks strong evidence that restrictions change long-term purchasing behavior.
What Can You Still Buy with SNAP in Oklahoma (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
- Cookies, cakes, donuts, brownies
- Baby food and formula
- Seeds and plants for home gardening
- Frozen meals, take-and-bake pizza
Practical Tips for Oklahoma 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 juice boxes, flavored water, fruit snacks, or granola bars (still eligible).
- Use farmers markets — Many double SNAP dollars on fresh produce.
- Appeal errors — If an eligible item is wrongly declined, contact OKDHS immediately at 1-877-525-0660.
FAQs
When does the Oklahoma SNAP soft drinks and candy ban start?
The ban begins January 1, 2026, following USDA approval of Oklahoma’s June 2025 waiver request.
Will the ban apply to everyone on SNAP in Oklahoma?
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, and sugary cereals are not included in the ban.
Why did Oklahoma 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 OKDHS at 1-877-525-0660, your state legislator, or advocacy groups like the Oklahoma Policy Institute or Feeding America Oklahoma.
For eligibility or application help, visit snapeligibilitycalculator.com or call Oklahoma DHS.
This change marks a significant shift in SNAP policy in Oklahoma. Stay informed through official OKDHS communications.