Soda and candy have now been made off-limits to certain Americans in six more states as officials continue to clamp down on what people can buy with food stamps.  

Low-income residents in West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas will be barred from buying the goods under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

These restrictions are further built on top of a movement started earlier this year. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has previously banned the foods from SNAP recipients in Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. 

The controversial move is aimed at improving the health of the millions of Americans in those states who rely on food stamps.

While the plans would ban sugary and high-calorie sweets, they would also exclude purchases of diet sodas and fruit juice with less than 50 percent natural juice, as these are high in sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Restricting junk food from the $100billion-a-year federal SNAP program has been a key goal for health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and his ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda. 

The first-of-its-kind ban will become effective for all the participating states starting January 1, 2026 and last for at least two years. Other Republican-led states are set to roll out similar measures. 

Serving nearly 42million Americans, SNAP helps low-income families purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, snacks and plants that can produce foods. 

Soda and candy have now been made off-limits to certain Americans in 12 states as officials continue clamp down on what people can buy with food stamps 

It is run by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered through individual states. In general, benefits are available to people with an income at or below about $33,500 a year for a three-person household.

Over the past two decades, lawmakers in several states have proposed halting SNAP payments for soda, chips, ice cream and ‘luxury meats’ like steak, as well as bottled water and decorated birthday cakes. 

However, despite multiple proposals being submitted, no other presidential administration, including President Donald Trump’s first, has approved them in the past. 

Secretary Rollins said: ‘It is incredible to see so many states take action at this critical moment in our nation’s history and do something to begin to address chronic health problems. 

‘President Trump has changed the status quo, and the entire cabinet is taking action to Make America Healthy Again. 

‘At USDA, we play a key role in supporting Americans who fall on hard times, and that commitment does not change. Rather, these state waivers promote healthier options for families in need.’

According to the USDA website, food stamps users spend over $600million a year on sweetened beverages including soft drinks and energy drinks. 

A 2024 scientific review published in the journal Public Health by British researchers found that energy drinks can raise the risk of physical and mental health problems among children. 

For example, kids who consume the beverages, which can contain more caffeine than a cup of coffee, are more likely to be overweight and develop heart problems. They also face a higher chance of getting mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and suicide attempts.

The ban comes as RFK Jr has continued to push for restricting junk food from SNAP since his nomination as Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. 

The leader of the Make America Healthy Again movement has repeatedly called soda ‘poison’ and claimed it can cause damage to human health.

RFK Jr has repeatedly called soda ‘poison’ and claimed that it can cause damage to human health

Kennedy has also previously suggested Americans who eat donuts, guzzle sodas or smoke should not be provided with free healthcare. 

‘If you’re smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, should you expect society to pay when you get sick?’ he told CBS. 

The nation’s top health official noted it is the American people’s choice to ‘eat donuts all day’ and he would not to take it away.

However, he went on to say junk food lovers cannot expect ‘society to care for them’ since there is possibility for them to get ‘very sick.’ 

His claims have long put him at odds with President Trump as the latter is known to enjoy multiple sodas per day, albeit the sugar-free versions.

Shortly after being sworn-in for the second time, President Trump also re-installed a bright red button on his desk in the Oval Office to notify an aide that the commander-in-chief wants a fresh Diet Coke.

The 79-year-old reportedly drinks multiple cans of Diet Coke a day and is known to indulge in an occasional burger and fries for his meals. 

Trump yet to make a comment on the newly announced wave of bans.  

Prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products. 

Antihunger groups oppose SNAP food restrictions, saying that research shows that program participants are no more likely than other low-income Americans to buy sugary drinks or snack foods.

A sign alerting customers about SNAP food stamps benefits is displayed at a Brooklyn grocery store in New York City

And they say that limiting food choices undermines the autonomy of people who receive a benefit of about $187 per month — or about $6.20 per day.

‘They just seem to be targeting a specific population without having data that says that they are the issue or that this is going to improve,’ said Gina Plata-Nino, a deputy director at the Food Research and Action Center, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Trade groups representing beverage and candy makers criticized the effort, saying that they narrowly target SNAP participants.

Representatives for the soda industry accused state and federal officials of ‘choosing to be the food police rather than take truly meaningful steps to lift people off SNAP with good-paying jobs.’

Chris Gindlesperger, a spokesman for the National Confectioners Association, called the approach ‘misguided.’

‘SNAP participants and non-SNAP participants alike understand that chocolate and candy are treats – not meal replacements,’ Gindlesperger said.