DES MOINES, Iowa — On Friday, the Iowa Health and Human Services Department announced that changes to what recipients utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would be able to purchase are coming soon.

Starting January 1, 2026, SNAP recipients won’t be able to purchase foods considered taxable under Iowa code with their benefits. Taxable foods include things like soda and other beverages containing less than 50% of fruit or vegetable juice, candy or candy-coated items, and some in-store prepared foods.

“As obesity and chronic illness continue to rise, Iowa is taking bold steps upstream — focusing on prevention and early intervention,” Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia said in a statement. “By limiting SNAP-eligible purchases to healthier foods, this is a practical step toward encouraging better eating habits and supporting long-term health. This change is about more than just policy — it’s about building a stronger, healthier Iowa for generations to come.”

For a full list of eligible and ineligible items, visit the HHS website.

In May, Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa HHS submitted a waiver to the United States Department of Agriculture requesting to be able to add restrictions to what items could be purchased with SNAP. A short time after the waiver was submitted it was approved.