Overview
- Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia begin restricting SNAP purchases on Jan. 1, with rules ranging from bans on soft drinks and candy to Iowa’s broader limits on taxable foods and some prepared items.
- Roughly 1.4 million people are affected in the first wave, and a total of 18 states have approved changes that will take effect on staggered dates throughout 2026, according to the USDA.
- The waivers run for an initial two-year period and require impact evaluations, with Indiana officials saying they will track outcomes such as obesity and dental issues in Medicaid populations.
- Retailers and trade groups warn of checkout confusion and costly point-of-sale updates, estimating about $1.6 billion in initial expenses and $759 million annually to implement the new restrictions.
- Federal leaders Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at HHS and Brooke Rollins at USDA say the policy targets diet-related disease, while advocates and researchers note mixed evidence on health benefits and raise equity and access concerns.