SNAP junk food bans are no longer in effect in 5 states

A federal judge blocked SNAP purchase restrictions in five states, putting "junk food" bans on hold following the June 22 court ruling.

If you live in Iowa, Nebraska, or West Virginia, you’ll be able to use your SNAP money on previously banned items like soda, candy, or energy drinks again.

In Tennessee, a SNAP ban that was scheduled to start at the end of July is on pause because of the new ruling, and in Colorado, a ban that was supposed to start in October has been discontinued.

But this change doesn’t apply nationwide—other states with “junk food” bans in place for SNAP recipients still have the same rules.

At a glance#at-a-glance

• You’ll be able to use SNAP on “junk food” like soda and energy drinks in Iowa, Nebraska, and West Virginia again.
• In Tennessee, a new ban was supposed to go into effect at the end of July, but it’s on pause now because of the new ruling.
• A ban in Colorado that was supposed to start in October has been discontinued.
• It may take some time for grocery stores to update their systems, but technically, you should be able to buy soda and candy again in those three states right away.

Why are SNAP food restrictions changing in these five states?#why-are-snap-food-restrictions-changing-in-these-five-states

Some states were allowed to ban people from using SNAP to buy certain foods and drinks, like soda, energy drinks, or candy, after getting approval from the USDA.

But, on June 22, 2026, a federal court ruled that the USDA did not have the authority to approve these restrictions, so the rules are currently on hold in five states.

Which states are affected by the ruling?#which-states-are-affected-by-the-ruling

For now, the ruling only applies to the five states involved in the case: Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Note: Grocery stores may need time to update their systems after the court ruling. If your EBT card does not work for an item that should now be allowed, the store may not have completed the update yet.

Can I buy soda and candy with SNAP again?#can-i-buy-soda-and-candy-with-snap-again

Yes, if you live in one of the affected states, things like soda and candy that were previously banned from SNAP purchases are now SNAP-eligible again because of the court ruling.

Keep in mind that grocery stores and retailers may need some time to update their systems and make sure SNAP purchases are processed correctly.

If you are unsure whether a specific drink or food is SNAP-eligible, check your state's latest SNAP guidance or ask about an item at checkout.

Will the soda and candy bans come back?#will-the-soda-and-candy-bans-come-back

Possibly. The USDA could still appeal the decision and ask the court to pause the ruling. If the court grants the request, SNAP purchase restrictions could return in Iowa, Nebraska, and West Virginia, and go into effect as planned in Tennessee and Colorado.

Do SNAP restrictions still apply in other states?#do-snap-restrictions-still-apply-in-other-states

Yes. This court ruling only affects Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

However, the ruling could lead to similar court challenges in other states with SNAP purchase restrictions. Meaning, SNAP bans on “junk food” could change in more states in the future.

Check your state’s SNAP website or the Propel app for the most up-to-date information about what you can buy with your benefits.