Judge Rules SNAP Recipients Can Still Buy Soda, Candy

WASHINGTON — A federal judge ruled Monday that the government cannot prevent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients from using benefits to buy soda, candy and other sugary products, striking down restrictions adopted or planned in 23 states.

The decision halts efforts by states that had received federal approval to limit SNAP purchases as part of the Trump administration's “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. The administration has not indicated whether it will appeal.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the ruling was based on federal law, not the merits of the policy.

“The federal defendants and the states may have a genuine desire to improve the health of SNAP households by encouraging healthy choices at the store, and they can take lawful steps to meet those goals,” Jackson wrote. “But what they cannot do is violate the law and their own regulations along the way.”

The restrictions had been promoted by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who argued that removing sugary drinks and candy from eligible SNAP purchases could help address obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

The Agriculture Department had approved waivers for 23 states to implement varying restrictions. Some states had already begun enforcing the rules, while others planned to do so in the coming months.

The lawsuit was brought by SNAP recipients in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia. The challenged restrictions covered soda, candy and, in some states, products such as sports drinks.

Jackson said the restrictions conflicted with Congress’ definition of food under federal SNAP law. The law allows benefits to be used for “any food or food product for home consumption” except alcoholic beverages, tobacco and hot foods intended for immediate consumption.

While federal law allows certain SNAP requirements to be waived, Jackson noted that improving nutrition is not listed among the reasons for granting waivers that would alter the program’s definition of eligible food purchases.

The ruling follows debate in several states over the proposed restrictions. In Colorado, the state’s human services board voted earlier this year against implementing a ban after beneficiaries and advocates argued the rules would create confusion and stigma for participants.

The Agriculture Department has not announced whether it will seek to overturn the decision.

The case is one of numerous legal challenges testing whether the Trump administration can make significant policy changes without congressional approval.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides food assistance to nearly 39 million Americans. The program has drawn increased attention since President Donald Trump returned to office, with recent policy changes expanding work requirements and increasing states’ financial responsibilities for administering benefits.