WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Agriculture has approved a request from Ohio to prohibit the purchase of most sugary sodas and similar drinks through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with the restriction scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, 2026.
The approval, announced Wednesday, allows Ohio to implement a waiver preventing SNAP benefits from being used to buy beverages that list sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or other caloric sweeteners as the primary ingredient. The restriction also applies to drinks where carbonated water is listed first and a caloric sweetener appears second — a category that covers most traditional soft drinks and many energy beverages.
State officials said the policy is intended to improve nutrition among households receiving food assistance.
Under the waiver, some beverages will remain eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, including water, milk and milk alternatives, and 100% fruit or vegetable juices that contain no added sugar.
The request for the change followed a three-month review led by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who convened a working group to examine nutrition research, children’s health data, and the practical effects on families and retailers. Ohio formally submitted the waiver request to the USDA in October 2025.
Members of the group said the proposal was driven in part by public health concerns. Health experts have long linked sugary drinks to conditions such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, while noting they provide little nutritional value.
Ohio now joins more than 20 states that have received federal approval for certain SNAP purchasing restrictions as part of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
The waiver will run for two years. State officials said retailers will receive a six-month “hold harmless” grace period while systems are updated to implement the change. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services plans to begin notifying retailers and SNAP recipients about the policy in the coming weeks.
There was some debate within the working group about when the change should begin. One member warned that an earlier start date could be “dangerous” because county agencies are already implementing new federal eligibility requirements for SNAP recipients.
Officials ultimately chose the Oct. 1 start date to give county offices, retailers, and families more time to prepare for the transition.