This bill changes what types of milk schools can serve in the National School Lunch Program. Right now, schools are required to offer only fat-free or low-fat milk to students. The new bill would let schools offer whole milk, reduced-fat milk, low-fat milk, and fat-free milk—all in both flavored and unflavored varieties. This gives schools more flexibility in what they can serve, and the milk can be either organic or regular.

The bill also makes two other changes. First, it expands who can request a milk substitute for students with disabilities. Currently, only a licensed doctor can provide the written request, but the bill allows parents or legal guardians to do this instead. Second, it changes how schools calculate whether their meals meet nutrition standards. When schools measure the saturated fat content of their meals, they no longer have to count the fat from milk toward that calculation. This essentially removes milk from the saturated fat requirements that schools must follow.

In practical terms, this means schools will have more options for serving milk and won't be penalized nutritionally for serving whole milk instead of low-fat versions. It also makes it easier for families to get alternative milk products for children with dietary restrictions.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025

Marshall, Roger

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA).Currently, schools participating in the program must provide milk that is consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans; USDA regulations require milk to be fat-free or low-fat and allow milk to be flavored or unflavored. The bill modifies these restrictions and instead permits schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk. The milk that is offered may be organic or nonorganic.Further, schools&nbsp;currently must provide a substitute for fluid milk, on receipt of a written statement from a licensed physician,&nbsp;for students whose disability restricts their diet. Under the bill, a parent or legal guardian may also provide the written statement.In addition, schools currently participating in the program must provide meals that meet certain nutrition requirements;&nbsp;USDA regulations require that the average saturated fat content of the meals offered must be less than 10% of the total calories. Under the bill, fluid milk is excluded from the saturated fat content calculation; milk fat included in any fluid milk provided by the program must not be considered saturated fat for the purposes of measuring compliance with USDA regulations.