In May 2025, the Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS) 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 (including soda and other sweetened beverages with added caloric sweeteners).
The waiver was approved by the USDA in late 2025 as part of a broader wave of state-level restrictions, making Utah one of several states to implement such a policy. The ban officially begins January 1, 2026, and is set to run for an initial period (typically five years, subject to renewal).
This change means that starting in 2026, SNAP recipients in Utah will no longer be able to use their EBT cards to buy soda, sweetened energy drinks, or other soft drinks with added sugar 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 Utah.
Short Answer – Key Facts (Effective January 1, 2026)
- Effective date: January 1, 2026
- Items banned: Soft drinks (soda, sweetened teas, energy drinks, sports drinks with added caloric sweeteners)
- Enforcement: Automatic at point of sale – EBT system blocks the purchase
- Who is affected: All ~150,000 SNAP households in Utah (no opt-out or exemptions)
- Other sugary items still allowed: Candy, cookies, ice cream, sweetened yogurt, sugary cereals, fruit snacks, cakes, donuts
- Reason: Reduce consumption of “non-nutritive” sweetened beverages, improve public health, lower obesity/diabetes rates
- Status: Waiver approved by USDA in late 2025 after review of Utah’s May 5, 2025 request
Exact Definition from the Approved Waiver
The final USDA-approved definition focuses narrowly on soft drinks:
Soft drinks
“A nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and is flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.”
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), carbonated flavored waters with added sweeteners.
Excluded (still SNAP-eligible):
- Beverages that contain milk, milk products, soy, rice, or similar dairy alternatives
- Beverages greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume
- Unsweetened tea/coffee
- Diet/zero-sugar soft drinks
- Plain water, sparkling water
- Candy (not included in Utah’s waiver)
Note: Unlike Oklahoma and Louisiana, Utah’s approved waiver does not include candy — only soft drinks are restricted.
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 soft drink 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 Utah DWS immediately for correction.
This is the same mechanism used for existing federal restrictions (alcohol, hot foods).
Who Is Affected in Utah?
- All SNAP households — approximately 150,000 households (over 300,000 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 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 Utah Implemented This Ban
The Utah DWS waiver request (approved by USDA) cited the following reasons:
- Public health crisis: Utah has rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related chronic diseases, particularly among low-income populations.
- USDA data reference: The 2011 report “Foods Typically Purchased by SNAP Households” showed SNAP households spent a portion on sweetened beverages.
- Program alignment: SNAP’s purpose is to promote nutrition and health; the state argued that excluding sweetened beverages better serves that mission.
- Long-term cost savings: Reducing consumption of sugary drinks could lower future healthcare costs for low-income families.
Critics, including Feeding Utah and national anti-hunger advocates, argue the ban is paternalistic, ignores food access realities in rural Utah, and lacks strong evidence that restrictions change long-term purchasing behavior.
What Can You Still Buy with SNAP in Utah (Effective 2026)?
The restriction is narrow — only soft drinks are banned. 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 (chocolate, gummies, hard candy — still fully eligible)
- Cookies, cakes, donuts, brownies
- Baby food and formula
- Seeds and plants for home gardening
- Frozen meals, take-and-bake pizza
Practical Tips for Utah 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 Utah DWS immediately at 1-866-526-3663.
FAQs
When does the Utah SNAP soft drink ban start?
The ban begins January 1, 2026, following USDA approval of Utah’s May 5, 2025 waiver request.
Will the ban apply to everyone on SNAP in Utah?
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 Utah’s ban (unlike Oklahoma and Louisiana).
Why did Utah request this waiver?
The state cited rising 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 Utah DWS at 1-866-526-3663, your state legislator, or advocacy groups like Feeding Utah.
For eligibility or application help, visit snapeligibilitycalculator.com or call Utah DWS.
This change marks a significant shift in SNAP policy in Utah. Stay informed through official DWS communications.