local
Federal judge blocks state bans on buying soda and candy with food stamps
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
By Tami Luhby, CNN
(CNN) — A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from allowing five states to ban the purchase of sugary drinks and candy with food stamps.
The decision is a major setback for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Health...
Key takeaway The decision is a major setback for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The federal judge's decision to block state bans on buying soda and candy with food stamps has implications for El Paso 's low-income residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Many El Pasoans struggle with chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, and restricting certain food purchases could have a significant impact on their daily lives. While the goal of promoting healthy choices is admirable, the judge's ruling highlights the need for any changes to the SNAP program to be made through lawful and regulated channels. El Paso's community health organizations and social services may need to reassess their support for local residents who rely on SNAP benefits, taking into account the continued availability of certain food items. The city's food banks and pantries may also need to adapt their distribution of food items to ensure that residents have access to a balanced diet.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Tami Luhby, CNN
(CNN) — A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from allowing five states to ban the purchase of sugary drinks and candy with food stamps.
The decision is a major setback for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Health...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter