Texas restricts candy and sweetened drinks from SNAP benefits

Texas has removed candy and sweetened drinks from SNAP benefits for about 3.3 million recipients under Senate Bill 379, and the state will survey SNAP recipients before and after the change to assess its effects.

Texas has removed candy and sweetened drinks from purchases allowed under SNAP benefits. The change implements Senate Bill 379, which the Texas Legislature passed last year and which was coauthored by state Sen. Angela Paxton. The policy applies to roughly 3.3 million Texans who receive SNAP. Governor Greg Abbott described the change as aligning benefits with healthier food options. Key details: - The law removes candy and many sweetened beverages from allowable SNAP purchases. - The change was enacted through Senate Bill 379, passed last year. - The state estimates the rule affects about 3.3 million SNAP recipients. - Advocacy group Every Texan warned that the rule, combined with proposed federal retail requirements, could lead some retailers to stop participating in SNAP. Summary: The policy narrows what can be bought with SNAP in Texas and is presented by officials as a move toward healthier options, while some advocates say it could affect access points for food. The law requires the state to survey SNAP recipients before and after the change to determine whether it encouraged different food choices.