A set of state pilot programs designed to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as the food stamp program, in purchasing unhealthy foods has been nixed by a federal judge.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who directs the SNAP program, misapplied federal law in approving requests from states to allow them to impose limits on what participants can buy with funds from the food aid program, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in her June 22 decision against Rollins, Politico reported. The ruling applies to Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia.
“With her solicitation and approval of the pilot projects in this case, the Secretary purports to waive not just a mere administrative or technical obstacle, but the very definition of ‘food’ as it was laid down by Congress,” Berman wrote. “Neither the USDA nor the states can force this square peg into a round hole to avoid the plain language of the statute and the requirements of 2026(k).” The requirements referenced the part of the statute that addresses projects to help improve SNAP households’ health status.
The ruling was a blow to a cornerstone of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, which wants states to be more restrictive about what foods can be purchased using SNAP benefits, saying federal dollars shouldn’t fund the purchase of junk food.
Indiana’s SNAP junk food ban
Indiana was among the first states to jump on board in seeking USDA approval to limit junk food purchases such as soda or candy through SNAP.
Currently, at least 23 states have sought waivers for such limits, according to the USDA.
The state’s soda and candy ban for SNAP recipients took effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
The move, part of a new Make Indiana Healthy Again initiative pushed by Gov. Mike Braun’s administration, aimed to improve the state’s health statistics by encouraging healthier food purchases, Braun said.
Indiana consistently ranks in the bottom half of states for its prevalence of risk factors like obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol, according to the United Health Foundation.
Experts on the SNAP program previously told IndyStar they are skeptical this will lead to behavior change, however. People using SNAP benefits have long purchased items that their stamps don’t pay for.
Based on the tax code Indiana’s new policy references, not all sweets and sodas will fall under the ban.
The definitions in Indiana law exclude food processing that includes flour or refrigeration, and drinks that contain milk or at least half fruit juice. Snacks like Twix and Kit Kats, for example, are still allowed.
Contact reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@usatodayco.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Judge strikes down state limits on SNAP food buys
Reporting by Cheryl V. Jackson and Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl V. Jackson and Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
