New restrictions on what Texans can buy with food stamp benefits take effect Wednesday, limiting purchases of most candy and sweetened beverages under a new state law aimed at encouraging healthier food choices. The changes apply to all recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in Texas – a program that serves more than 3.5 million people statewide, including children, seniors, veterans, and working families. Under the updated policy, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to purchase most drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners, as well as candy items. The rule is being administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, following lawmakers’ approval of the changes during the 2025 legislative session. What foods are now restricted? SNAP recipients in Texas can no longer use their benefits to buy: Candy bars Gum and taffy Sour candy Nuts, raisins, or fruits that are candied, crystallized, glazed, or coated with chocolate, yogurt, or caramel Sweetened beverages containing 5 grams or more of added sugar Beverages containing any artificial sweetener, including many sodas and sports drinks Retailers across Texas are required to block purchases of restricted items at checkout. Some grocery stores have also posted signs to notify customers of the changes. SNAP benefits can still be used to purchase most staple foods, including fruits and vegetables, meat, bread, dairy products, and pantry items. Certain beverages also remain eligible, including: Milk and milk substitutes such as soy or rice milk Drinks with more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice Beverages with natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit that contain less than 5 grams of added sugar Medical-grade electrolyte drinks used to treat dehydration that are not labeled as sports drinks State officials say the goal is to steer SNAP dollars toward foods with greater nutritional value. “This change was made to comply with Senate Bill 379, which prohibits the use of SNAP benefits to purchase less healthy foods like candy and sweetened drinks,” the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said in a statement. “The intent is to encourage the purchase of nutritious foods, such as fruits and vegetables.” Health experts weigh in Nutrition experts say reducing added sugar can have broad health benefits, especially for children. “When we’re thinking about lowering sugar consumption, we want to focus on foods with added sugars,” said Mikie Rangel, a clinical dietitian with Children’s Health. “Foods with added sugars tend to be higher in calories and lower in nutrition, which can lead to excessive weight gain when they’re overconsumed.” Rangel said that lowering added sugar intake can improve dental health and stabilize blood sugar levels. “When there’s too much sugar in the diet, there’s extra sugar for bacteria in our mouths to feed on, which causes cavities,” she said. “Choosing healthier foods instead has a much more stable effect on blood sugar.” However, she noted that sports drinks – now restricted under SNAP – can play a role during intense physical activity for youth. “When a child is sweating and active for more than an hour, they’re losing fluids and electrolytes,” Rangel said. “In those situations, sports drinks can be helpful. “Those sports drinks would be considered a sugary beverage. They often have close to or as much sugar as a typical soda,” she said. “Now, in the spirit of a sports drink, that’s important. When a child is exerting themselves, they’re losing fluids and electrolytes through sweat. And that does need to be replaced. Sports drinks are perfect for that.” Rangel said a good rule of thumb is if a child is doing a sweaty activity for more than an hour, they need about eight ounces of sports drink per hour of sweating. Advocates warn of confusion Food access advocates say the rollout may take time for families to fully understand. “There’s definitely going to be a learning curve,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the statewide network of food banks. “People may wonder, ‘Why can I buy Pedialyte but not Gatorade?’ That’s a gray area that’s going to raise questions.” Cole emphasized that the restrictions do not prohibit families from buying sweets altogether, only that SNAP benefits can’t be used for them. “It doesn’t mean people can’t buy cookies or cake mix,” she said. “SNAP is a supplemental benefit. If someone wants to purchase candy or soda, they can do that with their own money; they just can’t use SNAP for it.” Cole said SNAP recipients will not be penalized if they attempt to purchase restricted items. “That responsibility falls on retailers to program their checkout systems appropriately,” she said. Retailers statewide have expressed concern about the changes, as stores will no longer get revenue on those items that are now restricted. One store manager in Dallas told NBC 5 that due to the economy, they are not expecting people to use their own money on those restricted items, either. This could have an impact on small businesses. “We’ll be watching closely for any unintended consequences,” Cole said. “The Legislature may choose to revisit the policy based on what the data shows.” As part of the federal waiver that allows Texas to implement the changes, the state is required to survey SNAP recipients before and after the rollout to determine whether the restrictions lead to healthier food choices. Those findings could be reviewed by lawmakers when the Texas Legislature reconvenes in 2027, potentially leading to adjustments. For more information about SNAP-eligible foods, click here to access the SNAP Food Benefits webpage. ...read more read less