Starting in 2026, Missouri will prohibit the use of food stamps to purchase some junk food items. The items to be excluded from SNAP benefits includes candy, prepared desserts, soda, beverage mixes, juices and punches that are 50% or less natural fruit or vegetable juice, and concentrates intended to be made into drinks that are 50% or less natural fruit or vegetable juice.
The Missouri Department of Social Services filed the waiver request with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the group that administers SNAP, in September. According to the waiver filing, the state plans to implement the change on October 1, 2026.
More information about the waiver can be found here.