COLUMBIA, S.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture put South Carolina’s new limits on food stamp purchases into the federal record Tuesday, publishing a notice that lays out why it let the state stop SNAP benefits from paying for candy, soda, energy drinks and other sugary drinks.
The rules, which the state calls Healthy Food SC, took effect Sunday, Nov. 1. Every SNAP-approved store in South Carolina takes part, and households on the program cannot opt out. Diet and zero-sugar sodas can still be bought with benefits.
Gov. Henry McMaster said in August 2025 that he would seek the change and followed with a September executive order telling the state Department of Social Services to file the request. The state formally applied on Sept. 23, 2025, and federal officials signed off on Dec. 10. South Carolina first planned to start Aug. 31 of this year, but the date was pushed back after the state and the agency consulted, and the department says it was told by the USDA to postpone the launch.
This summer the state also asked to tighten its definition of a soft drink, and the federal agency let that revised plan go forward as submitted.
According to the notice, 47 public comments came in, and most opposed the project. Critics raised worries about health effects, fewer choices for shoppers, extra burden on families, confusion at the register and how the results would be measured. Backers argued the limits fit the nutrition goals of the program and are a responsible use of tax dollars. The agency said none of the comments were significant enough to change the plan, and it noted that families can still buy the restricted items with their own money.
The project runs as a federal demonstration, so the state will collect data on the results for the USDA to review. The Department of Social Services says it will post updates for retailers and SNAP households on its website.
Filed under: Aiken SC Health News
