The decision places Ohio among a growing number of states seeking to reshape how SNAP benefits can be used, particularly when it comes to products considered to have little nutritional value. State officials say the change is designed to encourage healthier purchasing habits while addressing long-term health concerns linked to high sugar consumption.
Ohio Targets Sugary Drinks in Snap Program Overhaul
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved its request to prohibit the purchase of sugary carbonated beverages using SNAP benefits. The federal program, commonly known as food stamps, provides monthly grocery assistance to low- and no-income households across the country.
More than 40 million Americans receive SNAP benefits nationwide, and about 1.3 million of them live in Ohio. According to reporting by Spectrum News, the state’s request to restrict soda purchases followed recommendations issued in September by a work group appointed by Republican Governor Mike DeWine.
The panel advised state officials to seek a federal waiver removing certain sugary beverages from the list of items eligible for purchase with SNAP funds. Because SNAP is administered federally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states must obtain approval before altering the program’s purchasing rules.
Members of the work group linked sugary carbonated drinks to a range of chronic health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. According to the recommendations cited in the report, limiting access to such drinks through SNAP could help encourage healthier dietary choices among participants while improving long-term health outcomes.
State officials framed the policy as a targeted intervention rather than a broad overhaul of the program. Matt Damschroder, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, said the waiver represents “a meaningful step toward better health outcomes for Ohioans on food assistance,” according to Spectrum News.
A Broader National Trend to Restrict “Junk Food” Purchases
Ohio’s move reflects a wider shift among states exploring whether SNAP benefits should exclude products widely considered to be unhealthy. Several states have already received federal approval to implement restrictions on items commonly described as “junk food,” typically foods high in sugar or fat but low in nutritional value.
States where similar rules are already in effect include Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, and West Virginia. The details vary significantly from state to state, with each waiver targeting different categories of products.
In Texas, for example, a ban expected later this year will extend beyond soda to include energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts. Louisiana’s policy will prohibit the purchase of soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy using SNAP funds. Colorado and West Virginia have adopted narrower approaches focused mainly on soft drinks.
Other states are considering comparable measures through legislative processes, including Alabama, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Some proposals remain under review, while others could take effect in 2027 if approved by state governments.
In Ohio, the work group that advised the state also suggested several additional changes to the SNAP program. These include placing responsibility for compliance primarily on retailers rather than recipients, while allowing stores a grace period to adapt before penalties are imposed.
