SNAP bans led to 12% decline in soda purchases

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: Grocery Dive
Published: September 2, 2026
Source: Read at Grocery Dive
Category: Food Access

A study from MIT, Stanford and the University of Chicago found that soda purchases fell 12% after SNAP bans. It found no evidence that recipients bought the same soda with their own money in states that banned soda but not fruit juices or energy drinks. In states where other sugary drinks remained eligible, shoppers shifted up to 39% of consumption to those drinks. SNAP accounts for about 12% of grocery spending, and recipients spend 19% more on groceries per month than non-SNAP recipients, according to the National Grocers Association and Numerator. The study projects that banning all sugary drinks from SNAP would generate about $1.1 billion per year in benefits, with 70% attributed to reduced healthcare costs.

Why this matters: SNAP restrictions could reduce demand for some beverage categories while shifting purchases toward products that remain eligible. Stores in affected states may need to track changes in beverage sales and SNAP customer purchasing patterns.

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