Starting on Sunday, Nov. 1, people using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Virginia won’t be able to buy soda and some energy drinks.
The Virginia Department of Social Services said the list includes regular soda, diet soda, “zero” or artificially sweetened soda, carbonated energy drinks or carbonated drinks with five grams of added sugar or more per serving.
SNAP recipients will still be able to buy the drinks with their own money.
VDSS said the goal is to help people make healthier choices.
“Virginia is testing out whether removing certain carbonated, sweetened beverages from SNAP eligibility supports healthier outcomes for families,” VDSS said in a statement on their website.
The change does not affect people’s monthly benefit amount. Sweetened, non-carbonated drinks like chocolate milk, juices, sports and hydration drinks and tea are not on the list. People will no longer be able to buy probiotic sodas, but milk or yogurt-based probiotic drinks will remain SNAP-eligible.
The same rules apply to online purchases.
