When was whole milk banned from schools by the Obama administration?

The Obama administration approved rules mandating fat-free or low-fat milk in schools, which took effect starting in 2012.

What are the new US dietary guidelines regarding dairy?

The latest US dietary guidelines favor whole-fat dairy products with no added sugars, recommending three servings daily.

Will whole milk be available for school breakfast too?

The new legislation primarily addresses whole milk and 2% milk for school lunches; clarification on breakfast is pending from USDA officials.

Home / Education / Whole Milk Returns to School Cafeterias After Decade Ban

Whole Milk Returns to School Cafeterias After Decade Ban

15 Jan

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Summary

President Trump signed a bill allowing whole and 2% milk in schools.
This law reverses Obama-era rules that mandated fat-free or low-fat milk.
The change aligns with new dietary guidelines favoring whole-fat dairy.

Whole Milk Returns to School Cafeterias After Decade Ban

Whole milk and 2% milk are set to reappear in school cafeterias across the nation, marking a significant shift from a decade-long ban. President Donald Trump recently signed legislation that permits schools to offer these full-fat dairy options alongside their low-fat and fat-free counterparts. This decision overturns rules established under the Obama administration, which had restricted milk choices in an effort to combat childhood obesity.

The shift aligns with updated US dietary guidelines that now emphasize the benefits of whole-fat dairy products. While the new law allows for increased milk options, it also permits other nutritionally equivalent non-dairy beverages. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that removing whole milk had not improved student health, suggesting some students turned to less healthy sweetened drinks instead.