SNAP Restrictions
New study shows 12% drop in soda purchases among SNAP recipients
A new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that soda purchases among people who receive Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits fell by about 12% after new restrictions were implemented in 10 states. This translates to a person drinking about 34 fewer 12-ounce cans of soda per year, according to the study's authors.
Study Findings
The study, which was supported by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, used data from the first six months of 2026 on grocery purchases in 15,000 households using SNAP benefits. The authors estimate that the drop in soda consumption would reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 2.6% over the next 10 years, amounting to about 34,000 fewer new cases in the U.S.
Restrictions and Impact
So far, 23 states have received waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement restrictions on soda, candy, and other so-called junk food, though the restrictions vary by state. The bans are currently suspended in five of those states under orders from a federal judge. According to Matt Notowidigdo, an economics professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business who co-authored the study, the restrictions would lead to a billion dollars of savings for the health care system.
Comparison of Policies
Some experts argue that a better alternative to restrictions could be to tax sugary beverages. For example, when Philadelphia implemented a tax on sugary beverages, they got a 31% cut in consumption across all groups, not just SNAP recipients, along with some revenue they could use for neighborhood projects. The following table compares the impact of different policies:
| Policy | Reduction in Soda Consumption |
|---|---|
| SNAP restrictions | 12% |
| Philadelphia tax on sugary beverages | 31% |
The study's authors note that SNAP recipients used up to 39% of the money that they didn’t spend on soda to purchase other sugary drinks and fruit juices that didn’t fall under states’ restrictions. This finding suggests that a more comprehensive ban may be needed to reduce sugar consumption. Additionally, a survey of SNAP recipients found that the restrictions made them more likely to report feeling judged or disrespected, which is a concerning finding according to Benjamin Chrisinger, an assistant professor of community health at Tufts University.
