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Texas has officially received federal approval to move forward with its first-of-its-kind Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) junk food restriction law, opening the door for new limits on what SNAP recipients can purchase with food stamp benefits. Senate Bill 379 (SB 379), passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session earlier this year, was contingent upon federal authorization. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has now granted that approval, and the law is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026.
The measure prohibits the use of SNAP benefits to buy specific non-nutritious food items, including soda, candy, chips, cookies, sweetened beverages, and energy drinks. Advocates argue that the law brings SNAP back in line with its original purpose, to provide access to food that supports health and well-being, not taxpayer-subsidized junk food.
What SNAP Purchases Will Be Prohibited in Texas Beginning April 2026
Under the new law, SNAP recipients in Texas will no longer be able to use their benefits to purchase food and beverage items classified as unhealthy or low in nutritional value. These items include energy drinks, sweetened and carbonated beverages, candy, potato or corn chips, and cookies. The policy draws a clear line between foods that offer substantial nutritional benefits and those that contribute to poor health outcomes such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
However, not all beverages or packaged goods are excluded. Milk and plant-based milk alternatives such as soy, almond, and rice milk will still be eligible, along with beverages that contain only non-caloric sweeteners and have no added sugars. The law also preserves access to fruit and vegetable juices without added sugar, infant formula, and medically necessary nutritional products.
Federal SNAP Waiver Approval Reflects a National Shift Toward Health-Conscious Benefits
For years, federal law has required states to seek a waiver in order to make changes to how SNAP benefits are administered. While previous waiver requests were denied by earlier administrations, the Trump administration, through Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, has taken a dramatically different approach. The USDA approved waivers for Texas and five other states: Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, West Virginia, and Florida.
Rollins praised the Texas SNAP policy as a model for responsible reform, stating that President Trump had changed the status quo and that the entire cabinet was acting to “Make America Healthy Again.” Rollins emphasized that these policy changes do not reduce the level of support provided to families in need, but instead redirect taxpayer-funded nutrition assistance toward foods that support long-term health.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) echoed this sentiment, thanking the USDA for approving the state’s request and affirming that the new SNAP guidelines will ensure that public funds are used to purchase foods with real nutritional value. The law is expected to affect nearly 3.5 million Texans currently enrolled in the SNAP program.
Texas Lawmakers Build on a Decade of SNAP Reform Efforts
The approval of SB 379 reflects the culmination of persistent legislative efforts by Texas lawmakers over multiple sessions. The bill, authored by State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston), builds on similar measures filed in previous years that sought to restrict the use of SNAP benefits on sugary drinks and other low-nutrition foods. Past efforts were blocked due to federal resistance, a lack of waiver approval, and political will by state lawmakers.
In the 89th session, SB 379 was joined by House Bill 5243 (HB 5243) from State Rep. Stan Gerdes (R–Smithville), HB 4970 and HB 4971 from State Rep. Briscoe Cain (R–Deer Park), and HB 3188 from State Rep. Richard Raymond (D–Laredo). While each bill varied slightly in scope and focus, all shared a common goal: to reduce the public subsidy of junk food and encourage better dietary habits among low-income Texans.
Legislative Intent and Policy Rationale for SNAP Junk Food Restrictions
Senate Bill 379 amends the Texas Human Resources Code by adding Section 33.031, which outlines the specific types of food and beverages that can no longer be purchased with SNAP benefits. Lawmakers behind the legislation argue that the policy represents a responsible and necessary step to improve the nutritional quality of food provided through a taxpayer-funded program.
The bill is rooted in public health concerns. Texas continues to experience high rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related conditions, particularly among low-income communities. By restricting the use of SNAP benefits on high-calorie, low-nutrient food products, lawmakers hope to reduce the long-term burden of chronic illness and encourage healthier eating habits among SNAP recipients.
At the same time, the legislation emphasizes the fiscal responsibility aspect. By steering SNAP purchases toward healthier foods, proponents argue that the state can help mitigate future medical costs incurred by Medicaid and other taxpayer-supported healthcare programs. The policy is presented as a form of preventative healthcare that begins not in the emergency room, but at the grocery store checkout.
Supporters Say SNAP Reform is a Public Health and Fiscal Imperative
Proponents of SB 379, including Texas Policy Research, emphasize that this law is not about limiting freedom of choice but about aligning public assistance programs with public health goals and fiscal responsibility. They argue that public funds should not be used to subsidize products that actively contribute to diet-related illness, and that this shift in policy will help reinforce the original purpose of SNAP as a nutrition assistance program.
The law is framed as a step toward a more compassionate and sustainable safety net—one that helps low-income Texans achieve food security without inadvertently promoting poor health. Supporters contend that the policy empowers recipients to make better choices while protecting taxpayers from the downstream costs of subsidized malnutrition.
Opponents Raise Concerns About Access, Stigma, and Retailer Confusion
Critics of SB 379 warn that the policy could stigmatize SNAP recipients at the grocery store by subjecting them to additional scrutiny or limiting their ability to make culturally relevant food choices. Others argue that food deserts, particularly in rural areas, already restrict access to healthy options, and that further limiting eligible items could make it harder for recipients to shop effectively.
Opponents also express concerns about how retailers will implement the new rules, particularly when it comes to distinguishing between prohibited and permitted items. Without clear enforcement guidance or definitions, some opponents fear the policy could lead to confusion, inconsistent application, or denial of legitimate purchases.
Still, these critiques have not slowed the momentum behind the bill. With federal approval in hand and a clear implementation date on the calendar, Texas is poised to lead a new wave of SNAP reform focused on public health, nutrition, and fiscal accountability.
Conclusion: Texas Leads the Nation in SNAP Reform with Junk Food Purchase Ban
Texas’s SNAP junk food ban is now law. With the federal SNAP waiver approved and an implementation date set for April 1, 2026, the state is preparing to become the first in the nation to fully restrict soda, candy, chips, and other unhealthy products from being purchased with food stamp benefits.
This reform has been years in the making and represents a major shift in how Texas views public assistance, not merely as a short-term safety net, but as a tool for improving long-term health and reducing taxpayer burdens. SB 379 reflects a broader legislative commitment to ensuring that SNAP is used as intended: to provide real nutrition, promote personal responsibility, and support healthier outcomes for Texans in need.
As implementation begins, Texas may offer a blueprint for other states looking to do the same. The conversation about SNAP reform is no longer theoretical. In Texas, it is real, and it is happening.
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