The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a Tennessee waiver that will allow the state to prohibit some sugary beverages and snacks from being purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning in 2026.
The waiver is part of a broader federal effort to “Make America Healthy Again,” which allows six states — including Tennessee, Hawai‘i, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia- to redefine what qualifies as “food for purchase” under SNAP. The authority gives states more flexibility to remove highly processed or sugar-heavy items from eligibility and encourage healthier food choices for low-income households.
Under Tennessee’s plan, foods and drinks that list sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or similar caloric alternatives as a primary ingredient would no longer be eligible for SNAP purchase. The waiver also allows the state to exclude soft drinks or carbonated beverages where water and sugar are the first two ingredients.
