The US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry recently commenced a hearing to examine one of the most highly anticipated pieces of legislation within the US dairy industry – the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This act aims to lift the restrictions imposed on offering whole and reduced-fat milk in US schools, a move that has been long awaited by many stakeholders in the dairy sector.
In 2012, whole and 2% milk was banned from US schools due to concerns over higher saturated fat and calorie content, as legislators sought to address rising obesity levels among children. Currently, the USDA mandates that milk served in schools must be fat-free or low-fat. However, with versions of the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act pending in both the House and the Senate, there is hope for a change in these regulations.
Although similar legislation was passed by the House in 2023, it was not taken up by the Senate. If the 2025 proposals are enacted into law, it is expected to significantly benefit the US dairy industry, which already supplies around 8% of fluid milk to schools at a cost of approximately $1 billion annually.
The Act has garnered bipartisan support, but critics such as dieticians and non-profit organizations like the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine have raised concerns that it contradicts the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines have played a crucial role in reducing obesity among US children, including adolescents. However, with the guidelines up for revision this year, there is a possibility of a shift in the recommendations.
During the Senate hearing, Dr. Keith Ayoob, an associate professor emeritus at the Department of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, highlighted that the 2025 dietary guidelines committee did not find any association between substituting different forms of dairy on cardiovascular disease risk. He emphasized that higher-fat dairy milk may have favorable effects on growth and body composition, reducing the risk of obesity in children.
The Committee is chaired by Senator John Boozman, who has been a staunch supporter of the US dairy sector. Boozman emphasized that amending school milk rules could help reduce food waste, a significant issue with an estimated 45 million gallons of milk being discarded annually. Other experts testified that milk consumption has declined since whole and 2% options were removed from schools, with Gen Z showing a 20% lower consumption rate compared to other generations.
Various stakeholders, including the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation, have welcomed the support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act from US lawmakers. NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud stressed the importance of providing students with milk that they are familiar with and find satisfying, particularly whole milk.
In conclusion, the reintroduction of whole and reduced-fat milk in US schools through the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act has the potential to benefit the dairy industry, improve nutrition for children, and reduce food waste. It is a critical step towards promoting the consumption of dairy products and ensuring the health and well-being of the younger generation.
