Five recipients of federal food assistance benefits have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), challenging new restrictions that limit the purchase of certain junk foods with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by SNAP recipients from Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia. They are represented by the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ), according to reports.
The legal challenge targets state waivers approved by the USDA that restrict SNAP users from purchasing specific junk foods, including items such as sugary sodas. The waivers are part of a pilot effort tied to broader health initiatives promoted by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Under the new rules, certain states participating in the program have modified how “food” is defined under SNAP. As a result, some items traditionally eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits may no longer qualify.
According to the lawsuit, the policy fails to account for the diverse needs of households participating in the program.
“The food restriction waivers contain no exceptions for individual medical, nutritional, or household circumstances,” the complaint states. “Instead, the food restriction waivers place on recipients and retailers the responsibility for determining whether a particular product is a permissible SNAP purchase under each state’s altered definition of ‘food.’”
The restrictions are part of the broader “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which focuses on reducing chronic disease and encouraging healthier eating habits among Americans.
Earlier this year, Kennedy emphasized that taxpayer-funded food assistance programs should prioritize nutrition rather than subsidizing products that contribute to poor health outcomes. He has specifically criticized the use of SNAP benefits to purchase sugary drinks and other highly processed foods.
The restrictions gained additional momentum when several states signed waivers allowing them to modify SNAP purchasing rules. According to federal officials, West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas have approved new waivers that will begin limiting purchases of certain junk foods starting in 2026.
The effort builds on earlier steps taken under the MAHA initiative. In January, new standards were implemented in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia as part of the federal government’s attempt to reshape how SNAP benefits are used.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the initiative aims to refocus the program on its original purpose.
“President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose — nutrition,” Rollins said when the new waivers were announced. She added that the policy represents a step toward addressing chronic disease trends across the country.
In addition to food restrictions, some states are also pursuing stricter eligibility rules for SNAP benefits. Texas recently announced plans to implement work requirements for certain recipients.
The lawsuit now asks a federal court to block the USDA’s waivers, arguing the restrictions unfairly limit how SNAP recipients can use their benefits and create confusion for both recipients and retailers.
