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.

Implementation will vary, as schools must assess student interest and supplier availability, with whole milk being more costly. Federal officials have indicated the law primarily applies to school lunches, with clarity still pending for breakfast menus. The National School Lunch program, serving nearly 30 million children, will see these changes rolled out in the coming weeks, with dairy producers offering support to districts.