US Edition
SC Moves to Exclude Candy, Soda From SNAP Benefits
South Carolina seeks USDA approval to exclude candy and sugary drinks from SNAP benefits to address high obesity and heart disease rates, citing CDC data and national health initiatives.
- On September 3, 2025, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed Executive Order 2025-30, instructing the Department of Social Services to apply to the USDA for a waiver that would prohibit candy and sugary beverages from being purchased with SNAP benefits.
- McMaster’s order follows a national trend, prompted by a 2021 Trump administration executive order addressing chronic disease and obesity by restricting unhealthy purchases in the SNAP program.
- The waiver aims to remove candy, energy drinks containing at least 65 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces, carbonated sugary beverages, and other sugar-sweetened drinks from eligibility under SNAP to encourage healthier consumption habits.
- Governor McMaster highlighted that South Carolina is contributing to national health efforts, citing data that children on SNAP consume 43% more sugary beverages than their low-income peers not enrolled in the program.
- Pending USDA approval, South Carolina aims to become the twelfth state to implement waivers restricting certain purchases on SNAP, with the goal of promoting healthier food choices and ensuring federal funds support nutritious options.
16 Articles
16 Articles
SC adopts new rules on what ‘junk food’ government assistance can buy. How does it stack up?
Gov. Henry McMaster has issued a long-awaited executive order restricting South Carolina SNAP recipients' ability to purchase "junk food" with their public benefits.
Gov. McMaster wants to ban candy and sugary drinks from SNAP in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is pushing for changes to what people can buy with food stamps. On Thursday, he signed an executive order directing the state’s Department of Social Services to ask the federal government for permission to stop SNAP benefits from being used to buy candy, soft drinks, energy drinks, and other sugary beverages. The request, if approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,…
SC moves to exclude candy, soda from SNAP benefits
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) - South Carolina is looking to remove candy, soda, sweetened beverages, and energy drinks from the list of foods eligible to be purchased with SNAP benefits. Governor Henry McMaster signed an executive order Wednesday directing the state's Department of Social Services to request a waiver from the federal government to exclude the sugary items from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. "South Carolina is doing her …
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