SOUTH BEND, IN (WSBT) — Starting on January 1st, if you’re an Indiana SNAP user, your grocery trip could look a little different because you can no longer purchase sugary drinks or candy with your benefits.
However, there is confusion about what is an acceptable purchase.
Retailers must change over 70,000 UPC codes.
Starting on January 1st, if you’re an Indiana SNAP user, your grocery trip could look a little different because you can no longer purchase sugary drinks or candy with your benefits. (FILE photo)
Changes were made following the SMART SNAP program introduced last April by Governor Mike Braun and backed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
RELATED: Indiana eliminates candy, sugary drink purchases for SNAP users beginning January 1
Confusion continues for both consumers and retailers about what constitutes an “acceptable purchase” under new SNAP guidelines.
Some things on the list that are acceptable are potato chips, ice cream and fruit juice.
Starting on January 1st, if you’re an Indiana SNAP user, your grocery trip could look a little different because you can no longer purchase sugary drinks or candy with your benefits. (FILE photo)
Items that are no longer acceptable are sports drinks, chocolate chips, mints and the list goes on.
Other items that you cannot use your benefits to buy are candy bars, gum, fruit strips, marshmallows, kettle and caramel popcorn. Beverages like pop, energy drinks, sweetened iced tea and water mixed with sweeteners are also not allowed.
Lists of acceptable items will be posted at registers to help avoid confusion.
Starting on January 1st, if you’re an Indiana SNAP user, your grocery trip could look a little different because you can no longer purchase sugary drinks or candy with your benefits. (FILE photo)
“It doesn’t mean people can’t buy, using their own money, sugary drinks and candy. We just don’t want a government subsidy to fund that,” said Mitch Roob, FSSA Secretary.
There is no ‘exclusive list’ of excluded items, as it’s too large to break down for the consumer.
The definition of sugary drinks by the state of Indiana is listed as, “Non-alcoholic beverages that contain natural or artificial sweeteners. The term does not include beverages that contain milk or milk products, soy, rice or similar milk substitutes, or are exclusively naturally sweetened using natural vegetable and/or fruit juice.”
The definition of candy by the state of Indiana is listed as, “A preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. The term does not include any preparation requiring refrigeration.”
To add to the confusion, there are some exceptions. Fruit juices that are 100 percent naturally sweetened are an allowable purchase.
Even though Celsius doesn’t have sugar, it is still classified as an energy drink, meaning it is not an acceptable purchase. Gatorade isn’t allowed, but Pedialyte is.
Starting on January 1st, if you’re an Indiana SNAP user, your grocery trip could look a little different because you can no longer purchase sugary drinks or candy with your benefits. (FILE photo)
Even with exceptions, Indiana retailers are worried about losing business.
“…the EBT cards, electronic benefits transfer cards, that allow access to SNAP, are good anywhere. So, we’re concerned about people going out of state, and they won’t have that restriction if they go over to Michigan. Near you know, near where you are, they can run across the line up to Niles and buy all the candy and soft drinks they want,” said Joe Lackey, Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Association President.
They are worried about not just losing business from SNAP benefits users but from all consumers.
As this program begins, both the FSSA office and retailers ask for your patience to ensure a smooth rollout.
If you have questions about what makes an acceptable purchase, ask a retailer or your local FSSA office.