CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) was simply granted the correct to exclude pop and soda purchases for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers.
This request needed to be made to, and authorised by, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) which administers the SNAP program.
Ohio’s request was made after recommendations got to Governor Mike DeWine in June of 2025.
“This waiver that we requested and received through the USDA is a meaningful step toward better health outcomes for Ohioans on food assistance,” mentioned ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder. “Today’s news is a result of Governor DeWine asking us to work with experts in nutrition, public health, and food access to find practical solutions that help Ohioans make healthier choices.”
The restriction will take impact Oct. 1, 2026.
While pop and soda had been the primary targets restrictions will embody any drink that lists sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, or related caloric sweeteners as the first ingredient—or because the second ingredient if the primary is carbonated water.
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