SNAP Food Purchase Restrictions Blocked by Federal Judge
A federal judge has blocked an effort backed by the Trump administration to stop recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from using benefits to buy soda and other sugary products. This decision could impact millions of Americans nationwide.
In a 68-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson stated that Congress did not grant the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the authority to change or waive Congress’ definition of eligible food under the Food and Nutrition Act. She emphasized that the department cannot eliminate certain food types from SNAP entirely.
This decision overturns USDA approvals that permitted states to test pilot programs removing items such as soda and candy from SNAP eligibility. It halts a major attempt to alter SNAP purchasing rules aimed at addressing the rise in diet-related diseases in the U.S.
The lawsuit was filed by SNAP recipients in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia, represented by the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ). However, 23 states in total had food restriction waivers approved by the USDA. This means that 13.5 million SNAP recipients could be affected by the ruling.
Historically, SNAP benefits could be used for any food products or beverages intended for human consumption, excluding alcohol, tobacco, and prepared hot foods. The restriction policy, part of Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, aimed to reduce sugary product consumption among low-income households, which the health secretary linked to high obesity and diabetes rates in America.
Critics warned the policy could create complexities and barriers in a program serving about 42 million Americans. The USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have yet to comment.
States With Approved SNAP Food Restriction Waivers
According to the USDA waiver database, states with approved “food restriction” waivers include not only those directly involved in the lawsuit—Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia—but also a broader group of 23 states such as Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Texas, and others.
States like Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia had submitted waiver requests explicitly to exclude soda and similar unhealthy items from SNAP purchases. These programs had already started in several states when the ruling was made, with Tennessee’s program set to begin in July.
The waivers were designed as pilot programs to explore shopping patterns and assess health impacts. Participation was mandatory, with no opt-out options, targeting various product categories, including soft drinks and candy.
Impact on Millions of Americans
The ruling could affect millions of SNAP recipients based on enrollment in states with waivers. Colorado has about 580,000 recipients, Tennessee approximately 596,000, Iowa around 242,000, West Virginia about 256,000, and Nebraska around 132,000, according to USDA data.
Nationally, the stakes are significant, as waivers in more than 20 states could have reshaped food purchasing rules for 13.5 million Americans. The NCLEJ lauded the ruling, calling it a major step in restoring food assistance to families throughout the country.
Katie Deabler, a senior attorney at the NCLEJ, stated that the decision makes it clear that the USDA cannot bypass established legal standards for operating SNAP. It affirms that families need a program without confusion.
The USDA has indicated it may pursue other ways to restrict SNAP purchases. The legal fight over what qualifies as food under the program is ongoing, according to Reuters. For now, the court’s decision supports federal rules allowing SNAP recipients to buy most food items.