NewsDialy

Federal Judge Blocks Government From Restricting SNAP Purchases of Candy and Sugary Drinks

6/23/2026

A federal judge ruled Monday that the U.S.

government does not have the authority to prevent recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — the nation's largest food aid program — from using their benefits to buy candy, soda, and other sugary drinks.

The ruling immediately threatens restrictions already in place or in the planning stages across 23 states. The Trump administration has not indicated whether it will seek an appeal.

What SNAP Is and Why This Ruling Matters SNAP, short for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the federal government's primary grocery assistance program, funded at the federal level but administered by individual states.