Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act Is About Choice

The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs play an important role in promoting the consumption of healthy foods, including dairy.  But school meal rules in effect since 2012 only allow 1% and fat-free milk options.

Miquela Hanselman, Director of Regulatory Affairs with the National Milk Producers Federation, says the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act currently before Congress would give kids even more choices for the nutrition they need.

Legislation Doesn't Mandate The Sale Of Different Milks

“Knowing that whole milk and 2% are the most popular varieties kids are consuming at home, the recent science shows that there's really no difference in health outcomes when kids and adults are consuming higher fat varieties of milk, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was brought about," Hanselman said.  "So this act would allow schools to serve whole milk or reduced-fat milk in schools in addition to 1% and fat free. And it doesn't mean schools have to serve whole milk. It just gives them the option to do that.”

Hanselman says flavored milk has long been a popular choice in schools and provides the same essential nutrients as unflavored milk.

“Flavored milk is a really important option in schools as well, because some kids just prefer a flavored milk to unflavored, and that way they're still getting those 13 essential nutrients,” Hanselman noted.

Legislation Supported By Democrats And Republicans

She said the NMPF is hopeful the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will become law this year.

“It has traditionally always been a very bipartisan bill," she stressed.  "It continues to be a very bipartisan bill. We have support on both sides. It cleared the Senate Ag Committee through voice vote with no issue. So we are very hopeful that it gets done this year. So keeping our fingers crossed.” 

Click Here to see what NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said about the Whole Milk for Health Kids Act.

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