Beginning November 1, 2026, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in some US states, including Virginia and South Carolina, will no longer be able to use their benefits to buy regular soda, diet soda, sugary drinks or energy drinks, according to announcements from the US Department of Agriculture and state social services departments.

The policy is intended to limit consumption of high-sugar foods, although the listed restrictions also include diet soda. It changes which drinks recipients can purchase with SNAP benefits, rather than necessarily preventing them from buying those products with other funds.

Implications for retailers and consumers

For affected households, the immediate change is a narrower choice of drinks that can be purchased with benefits. Whether shoppers switch to eligible alternatives, pay for restricted drinks separately or reduce purchases will influence the effect on beverage sales.

Retailers and beverage suppliers may see changes in purchasing patterns through SNAP-supported transactions. The scale of any shift will depend on how consumers respond and on the detailed product rules in each affected state.