SNAP Food Restriction Waiver

The SNAP Food Restriction Waiver, effective February 18, 2026, introduces additional restrictions prohibiting the purchase of specific sugar-laden items to encourage a more nutritious diet and improve public health outcomes. 

For SNAP Benefit Recipients

If you receive SNAP benefits, the approval of Louisiana’s Food Restriction Waiver means you will no longer be able to use your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy certain non-nutritious foods. This is designed to encourage healthier choices and help reduce obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other diet-related health issues.

These changes aim to put nutrition-dense food back at the center of the SNAP program, enabling healthier lifestyles for Louisiana’s families. If you live in a food desert with limited access to healthy options, consider utilizing programs like farmers’ markets that accept SNAP.

What You Can Still Buy

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meats, poultry, and fish
  • Dairy products like milk and cheese
  • Breads, cereals, and grains
  • Seeds and plants for growing food at home

What You Can’t Buy

  • Soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, etc.)
  • Energy drinks (Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, Bang, etc.)
  • Candy (Snickers, Kit Kat, Twix, Jolly Ranchers, Lifesavers, Skittles, Starburst, M&Ms, gum, mints, etc.)

Helpful Tips

  • Plan meals around whole foods and nutritious staples.
  • Look for SNAP-eligible healthy incentives programs in your area, which may offer bonuses for buying fruits and vegetables:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is changing with SNAP?

Starting February 18, 2026, all SNAP households can no longer use SNAP benefits to buy:

  • Soft Drinks (Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Sprite, 7UP, Root Beer, Fanta, Mountain Dew, etc.)
  • Energy Drinks (Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, Bang, etc.)
  • Candy (Snickers, KitKat, Twix, Jolly Ranchers, Lifesavers, Skittles, Starburst, M&Ms, gum, mints, etc.)

Why is this change happening?

Louisiana faces high rates of diet-related illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. Improving diet quality is one of the most effective ways to prevent these outcomes. Frequent purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy add calories with little to no nutritional value.

To support better choices without increasing burden on families or stores, Louisiana is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to align SNAP purchasing rules with public health goals by removing a number of low-nutrition items (soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy) from SNAP eligibility.

These changes do not affect benefit levels or household eligibility. They preserve broad customer choice while helping families build healthier shopping habits.

Who decided these restrictions?

This change is part of a federally approved demonstration project under Governor Jeff Landry’s Executive Order 25-052, issued earlier in 2025. 

Can I still use SNAP for other foods?

Yes. You can continue to use SNAP benefits to purchase:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat, poultry, and fish
  • Dairy products
  • Bread and cereals
  • Other foods meant to be prepared and eaten at home

Will I be able to buy soft drinks, energy drinks, or candy, at all?

Yes, but not with SNAP benefits. You may still buy them with cash, debit, or other funds.

How will stores know what I can’t buy with SNAP?

Retailers will update their systems so that soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits. If one of these items is in your cart, the system will prompt you to provide another form of payment for the ineligible item.

How long will this project last?

The project will begin on February 18, 2026, and end on January 12, 2028.

Where can I get more information?

  • Call the Customer Service Center at 888-524-3578 or email LAHELPU@la.gov.
  • Ask your caseworker during your next appointment.

For Retailers

As an authorized SNAP retailer in an affected state, you must comply with the following requirements to continue accepting EBT payments. This involves ensuring that restricted items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.

Compliance Requirements

Update your point-of-sale (POS) systems and any third-party e-commerce systems to flag and block restricted products during SNAP transactions.

  • Complete and submit the state-provided self-attestation form by January 7, 2026. Retain a copy onsite for your records.
  • Train staff on the new rules to avoid errors and ensure smooth checkouts.
  • Use any required state-issued signage/templates in-store.

Helpful Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SNAP Food Restriction Waiver?

A federal pilot limiting the purchase of soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy with SNAP benefits, which helps encourage healthier eating, while providing opportunities to evaluate the impacts of the restrictions on retailers and households.

Who must participate?

All SNAP-authorized retailers in Louisiana, including supermarkets, small grocers, convenience stores, and farmers' markets.

What if my staff allows a restricted item by mistake?

Staff must void and reprocess the transaction. Staff must document repeated errors. Continued violations may result in compliance action.

What is required for SNAP-authorized retailers for the SNAP Food Restriction Waiver?

Retailers must complete, sign, and date the Louisiana SNAP-Authorized Retailer Attestation Form attesting to comply with USDA SNAP requirements, specifically the new SNAP food restrictions on soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy.

Will my POS system need an update?

Yes. Updates ensure restricted items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits. Contact your POS vendor immediately.

What if my system cannot be updated right away?

There will be no exemptions for retailers that are unable to make the necessary system changes. However, an in-store-only workaround, such as separating purchases into two separate transactions of SNAP-eligible and non-SNAP-eligible, can be established. Work-arounds will be offered (manual monitoring, signage).

How should I respond to customer complaints?

Refer customer complaints to the Customer Service Call Center at 888-LAHELPU (888-524-3578) or via email at LASNAPFoodRestrictionComplaints@la.gov.

Who do I contact with questions?

You may contact the Retailer Help Desk at 225-342-2342 or LASNAP@la.gov . For technical support, please contact your POS vendor.

 

Additional Resources

Contact

For SNAP recipient questions about eligibility or appeals, call 888-524-3578 or email LAHelpU@la.gov.

For retailer questions, email LDH.SNAPRetailers@la.gov. 

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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