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A federal judge has struck down efforts by the Trump administration and 23 states to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing soda, candy and other sugary products, ruling that federal officials exceeded their legal authority under existing law.
In a decision issued Monday, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson invalidated waivers that allowed states to prohibit certain purchases under SNAP, the nation’s largest food assistance program. The ruling affects restrictions already in effect or scheduled to take effect across 23 states as part of the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
“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,” Jackson wrote in her opinion. “But what they cannot do is violate the law and their own regulations along the way.”
The ruling does not address whether limiting sugary purchases is good public policy, Jackson noted, but instead focuses on whether the federal government had the legal authority to impose such restrictions.
States Sought Limits on Sugary Purchases
The effort was championed by Brooke Rollins and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who argued that taxpayer-funded nutrition benefits should not be used to purchase products linked to obesity, diabetes and other chronic health conditions.
Under the initiative, states received federal approval to restrict purchases of items such as soda, candy and, in some cases, sports drinks with added sugar.
The exact restrictions varied by state. Some sought to prohibit both candy and sugary beverages, while others targeted only soda and certain sweetened drinks.
Supporters argued the changes would encourage healthier eating habits and reduce long-term health care costs.
Plaintiffs Challenged Restrictions
The lawsuit was filed by SNAP recipients in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia, who argued the restrictions violated federal law and would create confusion and stigma for beneficiaries.
Opponents of the policy contended that distinguishing between approved and prohibited products would be difficult for consumers and retailers alike. During hearings in Colorado earlier this year, advocates warned that recipients could face embarrassment if benefits were denied at checkout due to unclear product classifications.
Colorado ultimately rejected plans to implement the restrictions after public opposition.
Judge Cites Congressional Definition of Food
At the heart of Jackson’s ruling was Congress’ definition of eligible food purchases under SNAP.
Federal law allows benefits to be used for “any food or food product for home consumption,” with limited exceptions including alcohol, tobacco and prepared hot foods.
Jackson concluded that federal officials improperly approved state requests that effectively created new definitions of food not authorized by Congress.
While federal law allows certain waivers within the SNAP program, improving nutrition through restrictions on specific food categories is not among the reasons Congress authorized for such exemptions, the judge wrote.
As a result, she found that the Agriculture Department’s approvals exceeded its statutory authority.
Broader Implications
The ruling represents another legal setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape federal programs through executive action without new legislation from Congress.
The administration has not indicated whether it will appeal the decision.
The case also highlights the growing political focus on SNAP, which serves nearly 39 million Americans and provides food assistance to roughly one in nine U.S. residents.
Since returning to office, President Trump has backed changes to the program, including expanded work requirements and increased financial obligations for states administering benefits. Administration officials have also raised concerns about fraud and program oversight.
For now, however, states that received federal approval to limit soda, candy and similar purchases will be unable to enforce those restrictions unless Congress changes the law or a higher court overturns Jackson’s ruling.
The debate over SNAP restrictions reflects a larger national discussion about the role of government in promoting public health. Supporters of the restrictions argue that taxpayer-funded nutrition programs should encourage healthier food choices, while critics maintain that recipients should retain the same purchasing freedom as other consumers and that nutrition policy should be determined by Congress rather than executive agencies.
The decision preserves existing SNAP purchasing rules nationwide while the legal and political battles over the program continue.
