Ohio delays SNAP sugary drink restrictions at federal government’s request
Ohio has delayed a planned restriction on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to purchase certain sugary drinks after federal officials asked the state to postpone implementation.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced that the restriction, originally scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, will be put on hold at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. It will remain on hold until federal officials provide additional guidance.
Federal officials asked Ohio to delay implementation while the agency publishes a notice in the Federal Register and reviews public comments, ODJFS said. Ohio officials have not announced a new implementation date, even though the federal agency’s current waiver page lists Ohio among states approved to impose food or beverage restrictions through SNAP.
ODJFS said it will notify SNAP recipients and retailers about the delay and provide additional information once a new implementation timeline is determined.
Ohio received federal approval for the restriction in March, and under the waiver, SNAP benefits could no longer be used to purchase fountain drinks and certain carbonated sugary beverages. The restriction applies to beverages that list sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup or a similar caloric sweetener as the primary ingredient, or as the second ingredient when carbonated water is listed first.
At the time, state officials said the policy was intended to promote healthier food choices among SNAP recipients.
The proposal originated from recommendations developed by a workgroup convened by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in 2025. The group examined nutrition, SNAP policy, retail logistics and implementation before recommending restrictions on certain sugar-sweetened beverages.
The workgroup cited health concerns associated with frequent consumption of sugary drinks, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Under current federal SNAP rules, recipients generally may purchase food and nonalcoholic beverages, while alcohol, tobacco, supplements, hot prepared foods and nonfood products are excluded. States must receive federal approval to impose additional restrictions such as Ohio’s planned beverage policy.
Ohio’s SNAP program has also undergone other changes this year. As Ohio.News previously reported, lawmakers approved legislation aimed at strengthening fraud prevention and requiring the state to move toward chip-enabled electronic benefit transfer cards.
Approximately 1.4 million Ohioans receive SNAP benefits, according to state data, Ohio.News previously reported.
