States and federal officials are tightening rules on food purchases made with benefits, aiming to steer spending toward healthier options.
Here’s a breakdown of the changes ahead.
New Purchase Limits Starting in 2026
Nearly a dozen states plan to bar recipients from buying soda, energy drinks, and candy with their benefits in the coming months.
Eight more states—Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia—will roll out the restrictions during 2026, with Colorado’s start delayed until October, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Kansas, Nevada, and Wyoming will follow within the next two years. By 2028, nearly half the states will have such rules in place….