RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia is among 18 states whose SNAP food-choice waivers were approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

With the release of Virginia’s finalized waiver, officials now confirm that the only food category that will be newly restricted for SNAP purchases beginning in 2026 is sweetened carbonated beverages. Starting April 1, 2026, SNAP benefits may no longer be used in Virginia to buy sodas, diet sodas, “zero” sodas, soft drinks, pop, or carbonated energy drinks that contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, glucose, aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium.

The restriction applies solely to carbo

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