Louisiana SNAP recipients have already been living with new restrictions on certain drinks and candy for several months, but the federal government is now asking the public to weigh in on how the program is working.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration published a notice on September 15 seeking public comments on Louisiana’s SNAP food-restriction demonstration project. Under the program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits can no longer be used in Louisiana to purchase certain soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy.
The restrictions took effect statewide on February 18, 2026.
Louisiana’s SNAP Restrictions Are Already in Effect
Louisiana originally submitted its demonstration-project request on June 27, 2025, and USDA approved it on August 4, 2025. The state later asked to change the implementation date, and USDA approved a February 18, 2026 start.
According to USDA’s Louisiana SNAP Food Restriction Waiver, the demonstration is approved for two years, running through February 17, 2028.
The project changes which products can be paid for with SNAP benefits; it does not prohibit stores from selling the affected products or shoppers from buying them with another form of payment.
The Louisiana Department of Health says the restrictions apply to all Louisiana SNAP recipients and households cannot opt out.
What Louisiana SNAP Benefits Can No Longer Buy
The definitions are more specific than simply excluding every sweet beverage or snack.
Louisiana defines restricted soft drinks as carbonated, nonalcoholic beverages containing high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. The state’s guidance says the category does not include flavored carbonated water, milk or milk substitutes, or beverages containing cane sugar, monk fruit or certain other natural sweeteners. Drinks containing at least 50% fruit or vegetable juice by volume are also excluded from the state’s soft-drink definition.
Restricted energy drinks include beverages containing added stimulants such as caffeine, guarana or taurine and formulated to enhance energy, alertness or physical performance.
Louisiana’s candy definition covers certain sweetened products containing ingredients such as chocolate, fruit or nuts and sold as bars, drops or pieces. The state’s guidance says protein bars, granola bars and baking ingredients such as chocolate chips and sprinkles aren’t included in the candy restriction.
Those details can matter at checkout because two products that appear similar to a shopper may be treated differently under the waiver’s definitions.
Why USDA Is Asking for Comments Now
The new federal notice doesn’t mean USDA is waiting to decide whether Louisiana can begin the program. Implementation started seven months ago.
Instead, USDA says it is particularly interested in public feedback about Louisiana’s implementation and operation of the demonstration. Section 17(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 gives USDA authority to approve demonstration projects designed to test changes to SNAP that may increase program efficiency, improve benefit delivery or raise nutrition levels among eligible households.
USDA says it will review Louisiana’s results using state evaluation data.
That makes the comment period relevant not only to SNAP recipients but also to grocery stores and other SNAP-authorized retailers that have been processing transactions under the new rules since February.
Comments Are Due October 15
Written comments on the Louisiana demonstration must be received by October 15, 2026. Interested parties can submit comments through the federal rulemaking portal, and USDA notes that submitted comments and identifying information will be publicly available.
USDA maintains a central SNAP food-restriction waiver page showing participating states, implementation dates, and summaries of approved restrictions.
Louisiana SNAP households with questions about whether a particular item can be purchased should also consult the state’s official guidance rather than assuming that every soda, sweetened beverage, snack or candy-like product is treated identically. The definitions determine which products are excluded, and the restriction affects only the use of SNAP benefits to pay for those items—not whether Louisiana consumers can purchase them with their own money.
What to Read Next
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