United States – The U.S. Department of Agriculture disclosed on Wednesday that the nation will rework its school meals under new nutrition standards that cut back on added sugars for the first time.
Focus on Sodium Reduction and Flavorful Milk Options
The last rule trims sodium in kids’ meals but not by as much as originally proposed, at a rate of 30%. It has never questioned the presence of flavored milk, such as chocolate milk, which has less sugar, but it has not entirely removed it, implying that there is only unsweetened milk for the smallest kids, as reported by Associated Press.
The objective is to improve nutrition and adhere to the U.S. dietary guidelines, which provide breakfasts to approximately 15 million students daily and lunches to almost 30 million students with a yearly budget of about USD 22.6 billion.
Alignment with Dietary Guidelines
“All of this is designed to ensure that students have quality meals and that we meet parents’ expectations,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters.
Phased Implementation of Added Sugar Limits
However, limits on added sugars will be initiated during 2025-2026, first and foremost on high-sugargar foods like cereal, yogurt, and flavored milk. As of 2027 added sugar in school could account for no more than 10% of the total weekly calories for breakfast or lunches. Also, the sugar level of specific items would be capped, as reported by Associated Press.
Officials planned to reduce the sodium levels in school meals by as much as 30% over the next couple of years. However, after considering opposing public comments, which also included a special instruction from Congress via the fiscal year 2024 bill that was approved in March, the agency will lower the sodium levels by 10% and 15%, respectively, in school breakfast programs and lunches programs by the 2027-2028 school year.