New SNAP Food Restrictions Begin November 1, 2026: What Shoppers in 4 States Need to Know

Starting November 1, 2026, new food purchasing restrictions are scheduled to take effect for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shoppers in Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The changes will affect which beverages, candy, and certain other products can be purchased using SNAP benefits, commonly referred to as EBT.

But here’s the important part: The rules aren’t the same in every state.

A beverage that is restricted in one state may still be eligible in another. And products that seem similar may be treated differently depending on their ingredients, labeling, and the state’s specific definitions.

Here’s what shoppers need to know before their next grocery trip.

Which States Have New SNAP Restrictions Starting November 1, 2026?

According to the USDA’s food restriction waiver information and state agency guidance, four states have changes scheduled for November 1:

State	Foods or beverages affected
Montana	Candy, high-sugar beverages, energy drinks, and shelf-stable prepared desserts
North Dakota	Certain sweetened beverages, energy drinks, and candy
South Carolina	Candy, energy drinks, soft drinks with added sugar, and other sweetened beverages
Virginia	Certain carbonated sweetened beverages, including regular, diet, and zero-sugar sodas

These restrictions apply to SNAP purchases made in the affected states. Each state has its own definitions and exceptions, so it’s important to understand the rules where you’re shopping.

Montana SNAP Restrictions: What’s Changing November 1?

Montana’s new SNAP food restrictions are scheduled to begin November 1, 2026.

Under the state’s approved waiver, SNAP benefits will no longer cover certain:

Candy
High-sugar beverages
Energy drinks
Shelf-stable prepared desserts

What can you still purchase?

Montana’s guidance identifies several products that remain eligible, including milk and milk alternatives, plain or naturally flavored water, coffee, tea, drinks containing more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice, and certain bakery products.

Some items may be surprising. For example, Montana distinguishes shelf-stable prepared desserts from certain store-made bakery items.

That means it’s important not to assume every dessert or sweet snack is automatically restricted.

Official resource: Montana SNAP Food Restriction Guidance

North Dakota SNAP Restrictions: Sweetened Drinks, Energy Drinks, and Candy

North Dakota’s Healthy Choice Waiver is scheduled to take effect November 1, 2026.

The changes restrict several product categories.

Sweetened beverages: The state’s definition addresses drinks containing specified amounts of added sugar or artificial sweeteners, as well as certain juice drinks and beverage mixes.

Energy drinks: Products meeting the state’s caffeine or stimulant criteria may be restricted. That can include some energy shots and drink mixes, not just canned beverages.

Candy: Products marketed as candy, such as chocolate bars, gummies, caramels, taffy, and certain coated snacks, may be ineligible.

North Dakota has published detailed product-category guidance to help shoppers understand the differences.

For example, the state identifies 100% juice as allowable while listing several sweetened juice drinks, teas, and lemonades as restricted.

The important takeaway is that a product’s name alone may not tell you whether it qualifies.

Official resource: North Dakota SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver

South Carolina SNAP Restrictions: What Foods Are Affected?

South Carolina is also implementing new SNAP purchasing restrictions on November 1, 2026.

The state’s Healthy Food Choice initiative restricts purchases of:

Candy
Energy drinks
Soft drinks with added sugar
Other sweetened beverages covered by the state’s definitions

One important difference is that South Carolina says diet and zero-sugar soft drinks remain allowable SNAP purchases, even though certain other sweetened beverages are restricted.

This illustrates why shoppers should not assume that every state treats soda and diet soda the same way.

The exact classification depends on the state’s rules and the product involved.

Official resource: South Carolina Department of Social Services

Virginia SNAP Restrictions: Soda and Carbonated Sweetened Beverages

Virginia’s November 1 changes focus specifically on certain carbonated beverages.

Beginning November 1, SNAP benefits will no longer cover:

Regular soda
Diet soda
Zero-sugar soda
Carbonated energy drinks
Other carbonated beverages meeting the state’s added-sweetener criteria

However, Virginia’s restrictions do not apply to all drinks.

The state identifies several beverages that can remain SNAP-eligible, including:

Milk and milk alternatives
Juice and juice drinks
Iced tea and iced coffee
Lemonade
Noncarbonated energy drinks
Unsweetened sparkling water
Certain nutritional and meal replacement drinks

Virginia’s rule is particularly important because a noncarbonated beverage may still be eligible even when a similar carbonated beverage is not.

The state has also confirmed that the change does not affect SNAP benefit amounts or which food items, as opposed to the specified beverages, can be purchased.

Official resource: Virginia SNAP Healthy

Why Are SNAP Food Restrictions Different in Every State?

SNAP is a federal nutrition assistance program, but USDA has approved demonstration waivers allowing participating states to test certain restrictions on food and beverage purchases.

Each waiver defines its own affected product categories.

That means there isn’t one universal list of newly restricted foods that applies to every state.

For example:

Virginia restricts certain carbonated sweetened beverages, including diet soda.
South Carolina allows diet and zero-sugar soft drinks under its published guidance.
Montana includes shelf-stable prepared desserts.
North Dakota includes certain drink mixes and energy products that meet its specific criteria.

Understanding those differences can make grocery shopping confusing, especially when you’re trying to determine whether a specific brand or flavor is covered.

How Can You Check Whether a Grocery Product Is SNAP-Eligible?

Reading state guidance is a helpful starting point, but figuring out how it applies to an individual grocery product can be challenging.

That’s one reason we created EBT Snap Scan.

EBT Snap Scan is a free mobile app that helps shoppers check whether a product is likely SNAP-eligible using its barcode.

Here’s how it works:

Open the app and select the state where you’re shopping.
Scan the barcode on a grocery product.
Review the eligibility estimate based on available product information and applicable rules.

When the information isn’t sufficient to make a reliable classification, the app can return an uncertain result rather than guessing.

The app is independently developed and isn’t affiliated with USDA or any state SNAP agency. Results are estimates and aren’t a guarantee of how a retailer will process a purchase.

Learn more about EBT Snap Scan

Download EBT Benefit Scan on the Apple App Store

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the November 1 SNAP restrictions apply to every state?

No. The changes discussed here apply to Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia. Other states have their own restrictions and implementation schedules.

Can I still buy candy with SNAP?

That depends on where you’re shopping. Montana, North Dakota, and South Carolina have new candy restrictions, while Virginia’s November 1 waiver focuses on certain beverages.

Can I buy diet soda with EBT?

It depends on the state. Virginia restricts diet and zero-sugar soda, while South Carolina’s published guidance says diet and zero-sugar soft drinks remain allowable.

Will my SNAP benefits be reduced?

These food restriction waivers change which products can be purchased with SNAP. They do not, by themselves, reduce a household’s monthly benefit amount. Other SNAP eligibility or benefit policies may change independently.

What happens if I try to buy a restricted item?

The retailer’s checkout system determines which items can be paid for with SNAP. If an item is not eligible, you may be able to purchase it using another accepted payment method.

Where can I find the latest SNAP rules for my state?

Check your state’s official SNAP agency website and the USDA’s SNAP Food Restriction Waiver information.

Prepare Before Your Next Grocery Trip

With new SNAP restrictions rolling out across several states, knowing what’s likely covered before you reach checkout can help reduce confusion.

Whether you’re shopping for beverages, snacks, or everyday groceries, checking your state’s current guidance and verifying individual products can make the process easier.

EBT Snap Scan was created to help shoppers do exactly that.

Disclaimer: EBT Snap Scan is an independent informational application and is not affiliated with or endorsed by USDA, any state SNAP agency, or an EBT card issuer. Product classifications are estimates based on available information. Actual SNAP eligibility is determined by applicable rules and retailer checkout systems. Information in this article is current as of October 20, 2026, and may change.