The FIZZ-NO Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing soda, defined as any carbonated beverage with more than 1 gram of added sugar, artificial sweetener, or flavoring per serving. This act will go into effect 180 days after enactment.
Keith Self
Representative
TX-3
The FIZZ-NO Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing soda. Soda is defined as any carbonated beverage with more than 1 gram of added sugar, artificial sweetener, or flavoring per serving. This act will go into effect 180 days after enactment.
SNAP Benefits Can't Buy Soda Anymore Under New 'FIZZ-NO' Act Starting in Six Months
The "Funding is Zero for Zero Nutrition Options (FIZZ-NO) Act of 2025" changes what you can buy with SNAP benefits. Starting 180 days from enactment, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase soda. This bill directly amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, adding a new restriction to the list of things you can't buy with your benefits.
Sweet Drinks, Sour News
The core change is straightforward: no more soda with SNAP. The bill, SEC. 2, defines "soda" broadly as any carbonated beverage with more than 1 gram of added sugar, artificial sweetener, or flavoring per serving. This means if it's fizzy and sweetened—even with artificial sweeteners—it's off the shopping list if you're using SNAP.
Real-World Impact
Imagine a single parent who relies on SNAP to help feed their family. They used to grab a 2-liter of soda for the kids as a treat. Now, they'll have to either skip that purchase or pay for it out of their own pocket, which might mean cutting back on something else. Or, think about the construction worker who grabs a soda from the corner store on their lunch break. If they're using SNAP, they will have to find an alternative drink or pay with cash.
This could lead to some interesting workarounds. SEC. 2 defines soda pretty clearly, but companies might start tweaking recipes to get just under that 1-gram limit. People on SNAP might also switch to other sugary, but non-carbonated, drinks that are still allowed.
The Big Picture
This bill is part of a larger debate about how to balance personal choice with public health. While SEC. 1 of the FIZZ-NO Act is all about promoting healthier eating habits, it also means telling people what they can and can't buy with their benefits. The bill impacts anyone using SNAP, which is a lot of folks across the country, from office workers to delivery drivers, and it'll be interesting to see if this changes buying habits in the long run. The effective date, 180 days post-enactment (SEC. 3), gives everyone, from stores to shoppers, some time to adjust, but it definitely shakes things up in the grocery aisle.