Food-stamp rules complicate whether a cookie counts as candy

Eighteen states have adopted new SNAP restrictions that vary by state, and supermarkets report confusion over which packaged bakery and snack items qualify for purchase with food stamps.

Supermarkets across the country are grappling with new state-level limits on what can be bought with SNAP (food-stamp) benefits after federal officials encouraged states to restrict soda and certain highly processed snacks. Store owners say decisions now turn on fine product details, such as whether a cookie is a bakery item or counts as candy. Local examples include a grocery where cinnamon buns remain eligible but gum and candy bars do not, according to state officials and grocers. Retailers and industry groups say guidance from federal and state agencies has been inconsistent, making implementation difficult. Key facts: - Federal officials urged states to limit purchases of soda and highly processed snack foods; U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the effort is intended to restore SNAP’s focus on nutrition. - Eighteen states have adopted new restrictions, and the industry group FMI reports Indiana’s policy renders nearly 74,000 items ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. - The USDA offered retailers a 90-day grace period before they would face compliance investigations, and many grocers are updating product codes and training staff to reflect state lists. Summary: Retailers report longer checkout times and customers crossing state lines to shop in places with different rules. Undetermined at this time.