(STATEWIDE) – Indiana will soon prohibit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase candy and sugary drinks, marking a significant shift in how the state administers the federal nutrition assistance program.
Governor Mike Braun signed the change in April as part of his “Make Indiana Healthy Again” initiative, an effort the administration says is aimed at steering public assistance dollars toward healthier food choices. The plan has been publicly supported by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has encouraged states to pursue policies linking nutrition programs to long-term health outcomes.
Indiana is among the first states in the nation to move forward with a restriction of this kind. Because SNAP is a federally funded program, the change requires federal approval, but state officials say the framework is already in place and implementation planning is underway.
Under the new rules, enforcement will happen at the checkout counter. Retailers participating in SNAP will be responsible for blocking ineligible items through their point-of-sale systems, similar to how SNAP already excludes alcohol, tobacco and prepared hot foods. State officials say they have been working with grocery stores and convenience retailers for months and have distributed guidance designed to minimize confusion for both customers and cashiers.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has said the goal is not to reduce benefits, but to influence purchasing options toward foods with greater nutritional value. SNAP recipients will still be able to use benefits for a wide range of staple items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products and bread.
Supporters of the policy argue that limiting access to high-sugar products through SNAP could help address chronic health issues such as obesity and diabetes, which disproportionately affect lower-income populations. Critics, including some anti-hunger advocates, have raised concerns about stigmatization and whether the restrictions meaningfully improve health outcomes without broader access to affordable, healthy food options.
State officials have not yet announced an exact start date, but say additional public outreach will occur before the changes take effect.
