Overview
- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a 68‑page opinion Monday that struck down USDA approval of state waivers that would have prohibited SNAP use for items such as soda, energy drinks, candy and some prepared sweets.
- The court held the Agriculture Department violated the Administrative Procedure Act by exceeding its statutory power and by approving the waivers without required public notice.
- The decision halts restrictions in the first five implementing states and affects a broader set of more than 20 states that had sought similar pilot waivers from the agency.
- Plaintiffs — SNAP recipients from five states represented by the National Center for Law and Economic Justice — said the rules caused confusion, burdened retailers, and risked harming people who rely on certain products to manage conditions like diabetes.
- The ruling creates a legal precedent that could limit the USDA’s use of waivers going forward and leaves open whether the agency or participating states will appeal, which will determine if similar restrictions return.