Ohio’s ban on buying sugar-sweetened beverages and all fountain drinks with SNAP benefits has a Nov. 1 target date on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s waiver list, but the state has paused it and has not said when it will start. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced the pause in early September, after the federal agency asked for a delay. The ban was originally set to begin Oct. 1.
The result is two signals that point in different directions. USDA’s table, updated Oct. 2, still carries a date. The state agency that would have to put the rule in place says it is waiting for further guidance.
What USDA’s list says about Ohio
The Food and Nutrition Administration keeps a table of approved SNAP food restriction waivers. Ohio’s row reads: “Restricts sugar-sweetened beverages and all fountain drinks.” The column for the date is labeled “Target Implementation Date,” and for Ohio it shows Nov. 1, 2026. The table lists 23 states, and it was last updated Oct. 2, 2026…