Candy, soda and sweet tea restricted from food stamps in SC. When does it start?

South Carolina will join a growing number of states in making some ‘junk food’ ineligible for federal food benefits purchases after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved their request on Wednesday.

USDA secretary Brooke Rollins announced the new states now able to restrict certain unhealthy food and beverages from federal food benefits during a press conference Wednesday. South Carolina was among the six with approved waivers for its administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps.

When implemented, South Carolinians will not be able to use their SNAP benefits on candy, soda and other sugary drinks, including sweet tea.

No date has been set publicly for when the restrictions will go into effect. However, a spokesperson for Gov. Henry McMaster said South Carolina set Aug. 31, 2026, as the planned implementation date. The waiver will expire two years after the implementation date, with an option of up to three 12 month extensions.

Now, 18 states, including two led by Democratic governors, will have restrictions on some foods and beverages. It’s a part of a political push for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Restricting unhealthy foods from SNAP purchases began this past summer, under the Trump administration.

Candy, soft drinks, energy drinks and other sweetened beverages were included in South Carolina’s request for restrictions. SNAP benefits already cannot be used to purchase hot food, alcohol, tobacco and other non-food items. McMaster’s executive order, signed in September, includes definitions and carve-outs for each of the restricted items. For example, candy doesn’t include baked goods, and sweetened beverages don’t include milk or sports drinks. Coffee and tea, as long as they aren’t too sugary, will not be impacted.

The changes could impact over 533,000 South Carolinians, including nearly 256,000 households, according to data from the state Department of Social Services.

McMaster told the state Department of Social Services to submit the junk food restriction waiver in early September. Opponents argued the waiver only impacts low-income people, and taxpayer dollars can still be used to purchase candy and soda in government agencies. Restricting certain products could also degrade the flexibility of the program and likely won’t improve physical health for food stamps beneficiaries, some advocates and researchers have also argued.

Proponents of the restrictions, including McMaster, say it will help improve health, and people can still buy candy and soda with their own money.

“I think what we have listed here and described are broad enough to allow some flexibility, but specific enough to address those things that most people will agree should be addressed and probably should not be bought with taxpayer money,” McMaster told reporters after requesting the waiver in September.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Candy, soda and sweet tea restricted from food stamps in SC. When does it start?."