Federal Judge Blocks SNAP Restrictions on Candy and Sugary Drinks

A federal court ruled Monday that the government cannot prevent benefits from the nation’s largest food aid program from being used to buy candy, soda and other sugary drinks. The decision ends restrictions now in place or planned for the federally funded and state-run Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in 23 states.

Background on the restrictions The restrictions were part of the Make America Healthy Again campaign. Agriculture Department officials and Health and Human Services Department officials encouraged states to limit what the food aid can be used to buy.

They argued that soda and candy contribute to obesity, diabetes and chronic disease, and that removing them would encourage healthier choices. The Agriculture Department has given 23 states permission to implement the restrictions. Some have already taken effect while others were scheduled for coming months and years.

” The court noted that improving nutrition is not listed among the reasons the government can waive those requirements.

““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. But what they cannot do is violate the law and their own regulations along the way.””

next steps At least one state changed course earlier this year. Colorado’s human services board voted against implementing the ban after a March hearing in which SNAP beneficiaries and advocates said the rules would create stigma and confusion. ” The administration has not said whether it will appeal.

The program helps nearly 39 million Americans buy groceries.