Can Protein Powder Be Bought With EBT?

The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system provides food assistance to low-income households across the United States. EBT cards deliver Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, used like a debit card at authorized stores. This federal program helps eligible individuals and families purchase food for home consumption. Understanding purchase rules is important for recipients.

Understanding EBT Eligibility

SNAP benefits are for food items intended for household consumption. This includes staple foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, and cereals. Snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, and seeds or plants that produce food for the household are also eligible.

Certain items are excluded from EBT purchases. These include alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and hot foods prepared for immediate consumption. Non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and cosmetics are also ineligible. Vitamins, medicines, and dietary supplements are not covered by SNAP benefits.

Food Versus Dietary Supplements

A distinction exists between “food” and “dietary supplements” for SNAP eligibility. Products categorized as food carry a “Nutrition Facts” panel on their labeling. This panel provides nutritional content and is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a conventional food. Foods are consumed for taste, aroma, and nutritive value, intended as a primary part of a meal or diet.

In contrast, products labeled with a “Supplement Facts” panel are classified as dietary supplements. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 established them as a distinct legal class of food, intended to supplement the diet rather than serving as a conventional food or a sole meal item. These supplements contain dietary ingredients like vitamins, minerals, herbs, or amino acids. The type of panel is the primary indicator for SNAP eligibility.

Protein Powder and EBT Benefits

Given the distinction between food and dietary supplements, protein powder eligibility for EBT purchase depends on its classification. Most protein powders are marketed as dietary supplements, featuring a “Supplement Facts” panel. Products with this label are not eligible for SNAP benefits, as they supplement the diet rather than provide a complete food source. USDA guidelines exclude items labeled as supplements.

However, exceptions exist where protein products may be eligible. If a protein powder, bar, or shake has a “Nutrition Facts” panel, it is considered a food item by SNAP standards and can be purchased with an EBT card. This applies to products intended as meal replacements or marketed as a component of a meal or snack. For example, pre-packaged meal replacement shakes with a “Nutrition Facts” label are eligible. Consumers should check the product label for “Nutrition Facts” or “Supplement Facts” to determine EBT eligibility.