U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson blocked Trump administration restrictions that would have prohibited SNAP beneficiaries from using benefits for soda and candy [1].
The ruling prevents the government from limiting food choices for low-income families in five states [2]. This decision underscores the legal boundaries of agency power and the statutory definitions of food assistance.
Judge Jackson issued the ruling on June 22, 2026 [1]. The court found that the U.S. Department of Agriculture lacked the authority to amend the statutory definition of "food" to exclude specific items like sugary drinks [1]. By attempting to bar these purchases, the administration overstepped the limits set by Congress [2].
"Congress defined what ‘food’ is supposed to be, and it did not authorize the agency to amend or waive the definition it enacted," Judge Jackson said [1]. "It did not authorize the agency to cut types of food out of SNAP entirely" [1].
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, provides monthly benefits to 42 million low-income Americans [3]. The blocked restrictions would have specifically impacted participants across five states [2].
Legal challenges to the restrictions centered on whether the USDA could unilaterally change what items are eligible for purchase under the program. The judge said that the agency cannot create new restrictions that contradict the existing laws passed by legislative bodies [1].
This ruling ensures that the current definitions of eligible food items remain in place for the affected populations, maintaining the status quo for millions of beneficiaries who rely on the program for their monthly nutritional needs [3].
“The USDA lacked authority to amend the statutory definition of 'food'.”
This ruling reinforces the principle of administrative law that executive agencies cannot rewrite statutes passed by Congress. By blocking the USDA's attempt to restrict sugary drinks and candy, the court has affirmed that dietary restrictions for federal assistance must be legislated by Congress rather than implemented via agency regulation.
