Federal Judge Rules SNAP Benefits Can Still Be Used for Soda and Candy

A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the government lacks the authority to restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to purchase candy, soda, and other sugary beverages. The decision maintains the current eligibility standards for the nation’s largest food assistance program, preventing the implementation of new limitations on the types of food items recipients may buy.

The ruling addresses the scope of federal oversight regarding how SNAP participants spend their monthly food allotments. Under existing regulations, the program allows recipients to use benefits for most grocery store food items, excluding hot prepared meals and non-food products. By rejecting the proposed restrictions, the court affirmed that the government cannot unilaterally categorize specific items like sugary drinks or confectionery as ineligible for purchase with program funds. The decision leaves the current list of approved food items unchanged, ensuring that participants retain the same purchasing flexibility they have held under the program’s long-standing guidelines.

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Date: June 23, 2026

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GOAI