Introduction to Whole Milk in School Meals

Whole milk has been a topic of debate in school meals for over a decade. After being removed from school menus in 2012 due to concerns over saturated fat and calories, there is now a growing movement to bring it back. Federal lawmakers have introduced bills that would allow whole and 2% milk to be served in schools once again, in addition to the currently mandated skim and low-fat milk.

Background on the Removal of Whole Milk

The Obama-era move to require skim and low-fat milk in schools was aimed at reducing kids’ consumption of saturated fat and calories, which can increase the risk of heart disease and obesity. However, some nutrition experts, lawmakers, and the dairy industry argue that whole milk has been unfairly vilified, and that some studies suggest kids who drink whole milk are less likely to have obesity.

Why was Whole Milk Removed from School Meals?

In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which aimed to reduce childhood obesity and cut health risks for kids. The act required school meals to include more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, protein, and low-fat dairy, and less sugar, sodium, and fat. Starting in 2012, whole and 2% milk was not permitted in school meals because those products are higher in saturated fat and calories than lower-fat options.

How are School Meal Guidelines Set?

The U.S. Agriculture Department sets nutrition guidelines for the national school lunch and breakfast programs, which serve nearly 30 million students each school day. The nutrition standards are required to meet the federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are reviewed and revised every five years. Since 1985, those guidelines have recommended that Americans older than age 2 consume low-fat or fat-free dairy.

The 2025-2030 dietary guidelines are set for revision this year under a joint effort by USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services. A panel of scientific experts who reviewed evidence regarding milk fat content recommended that the U.S. policy remain the same. One reason was that research has shown changes in the federal nutrition program after the 2010 law have slowed the rise in obesity among U.S. kids — even teenagers, said Deanna Hoelscher, a nutrition expert and researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center who served on the dietary guidelines committee.

By JONEL ALECCIA, Associated Press

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called the federal dietary guidelines requiring low-fat milk “antiquated” and last month encouraged “full fat/whole milk” to be used in Head Start programs for the nation’s youngest children.

What’s Behind the Push for Whole Milk in Schools?

Some nutrition experts point to recent research suggesting that kids who drink whole milk could be less likely to be overweight or develop obesity than children who drink lower-fat milk. One 2020 review of 28 studies suggested that the risk was 40% less for kids who drank whole milk rather than reduced-fat milk, although the study authors noted that the research couldn’t say whether milk consumption was the reason.

One top nutrition expert, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University, noted that the dietary guidelines panel found “no evidence that whole fat dairy is worse than low-fat dairy,” but they retained the recommendations, citing the need for more research. “Saturated fat in dairy has not been linked to any adverse health outcomes,” Mozaffarian said.

What’s Next?

The USDA and HHS must issue the new dietary guidelines this year. Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have said they are conducting “a line-by-line review” of the scientific report issued under the previous administration — but whether that means a new acceptance of whole milk remains unclear. Versions of the “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act” are pending in both chambers of Congress.

Conclusion

The debate over whole milk in school meals is complex and multifaceted. While some argue that whole milk has been unfairly vilified and that it can provide important nutrients for kids, others point to the need for more research and the potential risks of saturated fat and calories. As the USDA and HHS review the dietary guidelines, it remains to be seen whether whole milk will make a comeback in school meals.

FAQs

• Q: Why was whole milk removed from school meals?
  A: Whole milk was removed from school meals in 2012 due to concerns over saturated fat and calories.
• Q: What are the potential benefits of whole milk for kids?
  A: Some research suggests that kids who drink whole milk may be less likely to be overweight or develop obesity.
• Q: What is the current status of the "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act"?
  A: Versions of the bill are pending in both chambers of Congress.
• Q: When will the USDA and HHS issue new dietary guidelines?
  A: The USDA and HHS must issue the new dietary guidelines this year.