Federal judge blocks SNAP restrictions on sugary items in Iowa and four other states
Federal judge blocks SNAP restrictions on sugary items in Iowa and four other states
KCCI EIGHT NEWS STARTS WITH BREAKING NEWS. A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS BLOCKED THE RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT ITEMS CAN BE BOUGHT USING SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR SNAP. THE BAN KEPT RECIPIENTS IN FIVE STATES, INCLUDING IOWA, FROM USING THOSE BENEFITS FOR SUGARY ITEMS LIKE SODA AND GUM AND CANDY. A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS FILED EARLIER THIS YEAR. IT ARGUED THE WAIVERS CREATE MAJOR HURDLES FOR FAMILIES AND RETAILERS, AND THAT THE USDA CHANGED THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF FOOD WITHOUT PUBLIC NOTICE. THE GROUPS THAT BROUGHT THE LAWSUIT RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING, IN PART, QUOTE, THIS DECISION MAKES CLEAR THAT THE USDA CANNOT BYPASS THE LEGAL GUARDRAILS THAT ESTABLISH HOW SNAP MUST OPERATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. KCCI CONTACTED IOW
Federal judge blocks SNAP restrictions on sugary items in Iowa and four other states
Updated: 10:03 PM CDT Jun 22, 2026
A federal judge has blocked restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, that limited what items recipients could purchase in five states, including Iowa.The ban prohibited SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy sugary items such as soda, gum, and candy. A lawsuit against the Trump administration was filed earlier this year, arguing that the waivers created major hurdles for families and retailers. The lawsuit also claimed the U.S. Department of Agriculture changed the legal definition of "food" without public notice. The groups that brought the lawsuit released a statement saying, "This decision makes clear that the USDA cannot bypass the legal guardrails that establish how SNAP must operate across the country," they said. KCCI contacted Iowa Health and Human Services and the USDA for comment but has not received a response.
WASHINGTON —
A federal judge has blocked restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, that limited what items recipients could purchase in five states, including Iowa.
The ban prohibited SNAP recipients from using their benefits to buy sugary items such as soda, gum, and candy.
A lawsuit against the Trump administration was filed earlier this year, arguing that the waivers created major hurdles for families and retailers. The lawsuit also claimed the U.S. Department of Agriculture changed the legal definition of "food" without public notice.
The groups that brought the lawsuit released a statement saying, "This decision makes clear that the USDA cannot bypass the legal guardrails that establish how SNAP must operate across the country," they said.
KCCI contacted Iowa Health and Human Services and the USDA for comment but has not received a response.