ORLANDO, Fla. – A trip to the grocery store looks a lot different for millions of Florida SNAP recipients, as soda, candy, and energy drinks are now off the list.
The new crackdown comes thanks to a new pilot program, which allows states to block the purchases of certain goods under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
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In the Sunshine State, SNAP recipients will no longer be able to use their benefits to purchase the following items next year:
- Soda — A beverage made with carbonated water that is flavored with added sugar or artificial sweeteners like corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar and sucrose
- Does not include carbonated water that is plain or naturally flavored
- Does not include any beverage that is over 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume
- Does not include a beverage with less than five grams of added sugar
- Energy drinks — A beverage containing at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per eight fluid ounces that are advertised as being specifically designed to provide metabolic stimulation or an increase to the consumer’s mental physical energy
- Does not include coffee or tea
- Candy — A product involving the preparation of sugar or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, caramels, gummies, and hard candies or other ingredients/flavorings in the form of bars, drops or pieces
- Prepared desserts — A processed, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat, pre-packaged sweet food intended for immediate consumption without any further preparation
The newly prohibited foods join a list of items that are already restricted under the SNAP welfare program, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco and hot foods.
How long will the restrictions last?
The waiver governing these new restrictions will remain in effect for two years, through April 19, 2028. During that time, state officials are required to track and report on the outcomes of the program — data that could shape the future of SNAP policy both in Florida and beyond.
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