Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Utah residents who receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will no longer be allowed to use those benefits to purchase soda or other sweetened carbonated soft drinks.
This change comes after the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 403 directing the state to seek a federal waiver to restrict certain purchases, and federal officials approved the waiver earlier this year so the new rule could take effect. Under the ban, carbonated drinks sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners will be excluded, but beverages like milk, milk substitutes, and drinks with more than 50% real fruit or vegetable juice remain eligible with SNAP benefits.
Supporters of the policy say the goal is to promote healthier dietary choices and reduce chronic health problems by preventing SNAP dollars from being spent on sugary drinks.
Critics have expressed concerns that restricting what recipients can purchase may limit personal choice and not necessarily lead to better nutrition, and that implementation could require costly changes at retailers.
Utah is part of a broader movement in several states rolling out new SNAP purchase restrictions as part of public health efforts beginning in early 2026, with similar bans taking effect in other states on items like soda, candy, and certain sugary foods.
