Sugars added will be limited for the first time in school meals across the nation, as part of the gradual adjustments in nutrition standards revealed on Wednesday in a regulation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The alterations will reduce sugar in meals from the fall of 2025 and decrease added sugars in flavored milk. As part of the updates aimed at enhancing child nutrition, schools will be mandated to “slightly” reduce sodium in meals as well.
Sugar will be restricted in school meals starting in the fall of 2025 and will be fully enforced by fall 2027, modifying the nutrition in breakfasts and lunches provided to 30 million students every school day, based on the regulation. Foods like flavored milk, yogurt, and cereal will contain less sugar.
“Similar to teachers, classrooms, books, and computers, nutritious school meals are a crucial part of the school environment, and when we elevate the standards for school meals, it enables our children to achieve greater success both inside and outside the classroom,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated.
“Expanding on this significant achievement, the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to collaborate with schools, districts, states, and industry to build on the exceptional progress made to bolster school meals,” he added.
Schools will be permitted to provide both unflavored and flavored milk, but a new restriction will be enforced by fall 2025, limiting added sugars in flavored milk served at both lunch and breakfast.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) expressed appreciation for keeping low-fat flavored milk on school menus.
“This final rule helps ensure kids will be able to choose a nutritious milk they tend to prefer,” Gregg Doud, the CEO and President of NMPF, stated in a statement. “Many children prefer low-fat flavored milk over fat-free, and flavored milk offers the same nutrients as regular milk with a minor amount of added sugar.”
Sodium content in meals will need to be reduced by fall 2027. The nutritional composition of whole grains will stay the same.
