Kansas Becomes 22nd State to Restrict Candy, Soda Under SNAP

TOPEKA, Kan. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Kansas' waiver to restrict candy and soda purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Thursday. The waiver, which takes effect Feb. 15, 2027, makes Kansas the 22nd state to implement such restrictions on food assistance benefits.

The policy originated as SB 79, a bill introduced by Republican legislators during the 2025 session that passed both chambers of the Kansas Legislature. Kelly vetoed the measure in April 2025, arguing that SNAP changes should be made at the federal level rather than through a patchwork of state-by-state rules. She also raised concerns about the definitions used in the bill, noting that items like protein bars and trail mix would be restricted while candy bars containing flour, such as Twix and Kit Kat, would remain eligible.

Republican lawmakers responded by embedding the waiver requirement into the state budget, tying it to $1.8 million in funding for a summertime food assistance program for children. The move left Kelly unable to veto the waiver provision without also eliminating summer meal funding. Under the approved waiver, SNAP recipients will be prohibited from using benefits to buy candy and soft drinks as defined by state food and sales tax laws, with candy classified as sugar-based preparations in bars, drops or pieces containing no flour and requiring no refrigeration.

Kelly praised the policy as promoting healthy eating but urged the USDA to create nationwide standards, saying consistent federal guidelines would reduce confusion for retailers and recipients across states that have adopted varying restrictions.

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