Nebraska becomes first state cleared to ban soda, energy drinks from SNAP

Nebraska will ban SNAP purchases of soda and energy drinks under a first-of-its-kind federal waiver, sparking debate over health and stigma. — Image credit: AAPIMAGE via Reuters Connect

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Summary

Nebraska SNAP changes

Starting in 2026, Nebraska will ban the use of SNAP benefits to purchase soda and energy drinks under a new federal waiver.

Arguments for and against

Supporters say the change promotes healthier diets, while critics warn it could increase stigma for low-income families.

First state to make SNAP changes

This marks the first time a state has been allowed to redefine SNAP-eligible food, potentially setting a national precedent.

Full story

People who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds in Nebraska will not be able to use those benefits to buy soda or energy drinks starting in 2026. While federal efforts are centered around limiting access to sugary foods, others contend there could be unintended consequences.

The approval makes Nebraska the first to receive such federal permission.

“There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks,” Gov. Jim Pillen said in a statement. “SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver.”

Federal waiver grants Nebraska new authority

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the signing of a waiver, allowing the state of Nebraska to change what counts as “food” under SNAP rules. Normally, federal law defines what kinds of food can be bought using SNAP benefits, and it typically includes most edible items, including junk food and sugary drinks.

This new waiver, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, allows Nebraska to exclude soda and energy drinks from the list of items people can buy with SNAP benefits. Currently, SNAP benefits can be used to buy just about any food or drink in Nebraska. However, non-food items, as well as alcohol and tobacco, are restricted.

Specialist warns of consequences

Kate Bauer, an associate professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, said in an April report that these restrictions could have unintended consequences. According to Bauer, they could exacerbate the stigma and discrimination SNAP recipients already face while grocery shopping.

“By reinforcing the narrative that SNAP participants can’t be trusted to make food choices for their families, I have no doubt that this discrimination will intensify,” Bauer said. “This stigma harms both mental and physical health, adding another burden to those already struggling.”

USDA cites health concerns

However, in a press release, the USDA said, “As part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, this historic action seeks to reverse alarming disease trends across the country. Prediabetes now affects one in three children ages 12 to 19; 40% of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic condition; and 15% of high school students drink one or more sodas daily.”

Precedent-setting move may influence other states

While Nebraska is the first state to receive a federal waiver to change the definition of SNAP-eligible food in this way, other states have begun the process to do the same. The Texas Senate recently passed a bill banning the sale of chips and candy with SNAP funds. Meanwhile, Montana and Idaho are both considering banning soda and candy for SNAP beneficiaries.

About the SNAP program

The SNAP program gives people money specifically for buying food, usually through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card at grocery stores. It is meant for people and families who earn below a certain income level and may struggle to afford enough food.

Tags: food, Nebraska, Snap, USDA

Why this story matters

Nebraska's federally approved decision to restrict the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing soda and energy drinks sets a national precedent that could shape how public assistance programs address nutrition and health across the United States.

SNAP policy changes

Nebraska's new restriction on SNAP benefits marks the first time a state has received federal permission to prohibit the purchase of soda and energy drinks, illustrating a policy shift in how SNAP can be used.

Health and nutrition

According to the USDA's press release, the policy is intended to address rising rates of chronic conditions in youth and seeks to promote healthier dietary choices among SNAP recipients.

Stigma and discrimination

As noted by Professor Kate Bauer, restricting SNAP purchases may increase stigma and discrimination against beneficiaries, leading to potential negative impacts on recipients' mental and physical well-being.

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Community reaction

Anti-hunger advocates, such as Gina Plata-Nino of the Food Research & Action Center, express concern that the waiver could increase stigma, administrative burdens, and costs for food-insecure individuals. Meanwhile, state officials and proponents frame the move as a step toward encouraging healthier nutrition among SNAP recipients and reducing taxpayer support for non-nutritious purchases.

Debunking

The move to restrict sugary drinks and energy drinks through a federal waiver is confirmed by statements from the USDA and Nebraska's governor. Critics, referencing studies and prior USDA positions, point out that there is no conclusive evidence that such bans alone will significantly change purchasing habits or health outcomes among SNAP recipients.

History lesson

Historically, efforts to restrict SNAP purchases of products such as soda, candy, and "luxury meats" have been proposed in several states over the past 20 years. Previous federal administrations, regardless of party, declined such waivers, citing difficulties in implementation, subjective definitions, and uncertain health benefits.

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame Nebraska’s SNAP soda and energy drink ban primarily as a punitive, stigmatizing policy that burdens low-income families — characterizing restrictions as “punitive” and emphasizing increased administrative costs and the ineffectiveness of bans versus “incentive-based approaches.”
Media outlets in the center highlight the USDA’s framing of the waiver as a “historic step to Make America Healthy again,” focusing on taxpayer responsibility and health improvement without delving into burdens or stigmas.
Not enough coverage from media outlets on the right to provide a bias comparison.

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Media landscape

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25 total sources

Key points from the Left

Nebraska is the first state to receive a federal waiver to ban the purchase of soda and energy drinks under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, impacting about 152,000 people, as announced by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Six other states, including Arkansas and Colorado, have submitted waiver requests similar to Nebraska's, according to the USDA.
Critics like Gina Plata-Nino from the Food Research & Action Center argue that the waiver increases costs and stigma for food-insecure people, and that incentive-based methods are more effective.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen stated, "There's absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks."

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Key points from the Center

Nebraska became the first state to receive a USDA waiver banning soda and energy drinks purchases on SNAP, announced Monday, May 19, affecting about 152,000 people in Nebraska.
This waiver follows over 20 years of state proposals to restrict certain SNAP purchases, which USDA historically rejected due to implementation challenges and unclear food standards.
The waiver is part of a larger federal initiative spearheaded by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aimed at restricting the purchase of sugary beverages and candy through the SNAP program.
Rollins described the decision as a groundbreaking effort to improve public health, while critics focused on the increased expenses, administrative challenges, and stigma it could create for individuals experiencing food insecurity.
Six other states, including Arkansas and Colorado, have submitted similar waiver requests, signaling possible wider changes in SNAP policy regarding restricted food and drink items.

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