USDA implements President Trump’s Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

USA – The USA Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule implementing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, restoring whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk options in federal Child Nutrition Programs for children and adults ages 2 and older.

The rule advances President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to improving childhood nutrition and supporting America’s dairy farmers by ensuring schools and child nutrition providers can once again offer students nutrient-dense dairy options that align with the latest nutrition science and consumer preference.

“President Trump promised to Make America Healthy Again, and restoring whole milk to schools is a major step toward delivering on that promise,” said USA Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.

“For years, outdated federal rules kept nutritious whole milk off school menus, despite growing evidence showing the importance of healthy fats and nutrient-dense foods for child development. USDA is proud to implement the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and give schools the flexibility to serve real, wholesome milk options that help children grow, learn, and thrive.”

Whole milk and other dairy products provide essential nutrients including protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamins A, D, and B12. Whole milk is especially important for young children aged 1 to 10 to support energy needs and brain development.

USDA is also continuing the multi-year process to update school meal standards based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations.

 In the meantime, USDA is taking immediate action to increase access to real, nutrient-rich foods in schools and child nutrition settings, including local beef and other locally grown foods.

Allowing access to whole and 2% milk is one of the key focuses of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a reversal of the previous Obama-era regulations that required milk to be fat-free (skimmed) or low-fat (1%).

Another notable aspect of the Act is the expansion of access to plant-based milk alternatives.

Schools will now be able to serve dairy-free milk alternatives that are ‘nutritionally equivalent’ to their dairy counterparts – previously, this was only allowed on the basis that a written medical or physician’s note was provided.

Schools must offer at least two different options of fluid milk at lunch daily and all options must be pasteurised, consistent with current regulations.

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