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Can I buy soda with EBT
Executive summary
Yes — historically SNAP (food stamp) benefits could be used to buy soda and most other cold, nonalcoholic beverages; USDA rules have allowed such purchases [1] [2]. That national baseline is changing: by 2026 at least a group of states have won USDA waivers restricting purchases of soda, energy drinks and other “junk” beverages with EBT in varying ways (examples include Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Utah and other states) [3] [4] [5].
1. Why you could buy soda with EBT — the federal baseline
Under longstanding USDA SNAP rules, most cold drinks sold in grocery stores — including regular soda, diet soda, bottled water, juice, energy drinks and similar nonalcoholic beverages — have been eligible purchases with SNAP/EBT, because they are treated as food or nonalcoholic beverages rather than prohibited items like alcohol or hot prepared foods [1] [2] [6].
2. What’s changing: state waivers and federal approval
The USDA has begun approving “food restriction” waivers that let states modify which items SNAP benefits can buy; the agency’s Food and Nutrition Service says it is empowering states to restrict purchases of non‑nutritious items like soda and candy [7]. Several states applied for and received waivers to bar soda or other sweetened beverages from SNAP beginning in 2026 or later, meaning the national “you can buy soda” rule no longer uniformly applies in every state [3] [4] [5].
3. Which states and what they’re banning — a patchwork, not a single rule
Reporting lists a patchwork of state actions: Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska and Utah were among the early states with restrictions; subsequent approvals brought the total to at least a dozen states with various bans on soda, energy drinks, candy and other “junk food.” Some states ban only soft drinks, some include energy drinks or sports drinks, and the specifics — like whether Gatorade or flavored waters count — differ by state [3] [8] [5].
4. Practical impact at checkout — how retailers and cards will respond
When a state has an approved waiver, retailers in that state will be required to change product codes so EBT transactions block restricted items; that means at the register a soda that’s coded as restricted won’t be payable with SNAP funds and must be bought with another form of payment [9]. The exact implementation and retailer compliance will vary, which creates transition challenges and consumer confusion [9] [8].
5. Policy arguments on both sides
Proponents — including Health and Human Services leadership involved in the waiver push — argue restricting sugary beverages paid for by taxpayer benefits will improve public health and reduce diet‑related chronic disease [10] [5]. Critics and some public‑health analysts point to mixed evidence about whether restricting benefit purchases changes overall consumption or health outcomes; one policy researcher’s early study found lower calorie intake, but a follow‑up did not replicate the effect, and some news analysts warn there is no clear evidence that banning soda in SNAP will markedly reduce chronic disease [3] [4].
6. What this means for everyday EBT users right now
If you live in a state that has not sought or received a waiver, current USDA rules still allow buying soda with SNAP benefits [1] [2]. If you live in a state that received an approved waiver, expect that SNAP funds will be blocked at purchase for the specific restricted beverage categories defined by that state, and you’ll need to pay for those items with another payment method — specifics depend on your state’s waiver language [3] [9].
7. Reporting gaps and limits of available sources
Available sources document which states applied for and received waivers and describe the categories targeted, but they do not provide exhaustive, identical lists of every product affected in every state; some waiver descriptions are vague (for example, “unhealthy drinks”) and implementation rules differ by retailer [8] [9]. For an authoritative, up‑to‑date answer for your exact location, consult your state SNAP agency or the USDA Food and Nutrition Service waiver page, since national reporting cannot capture each product code change at every store [7] [2].
8. Bottom line for readers
Historically yes, you could buy soda with EBT under federal SNAP rules [1] [2]. Today, however, a growing number of states have federal waivers that restrict soda and similar beverages from being purchased with SNAP funds, producing a state‑by‑state patchwork — check your state’s SNAP guidance to know whether your EBT card will still cover soda [3] [5].