Whole milk is ready for its comeback in America’s schools — but surprising language tucked into a new bill clears the path for nondairy milk options, too.
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was passed by the House of Representatives this week, following the Senate’s approval last month. If signed into law by President Trump as expected, schools will be able to offer whole milk and reduced-fat milk for the first time since those options were eliminated as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2012.
The bill also permits schools to stock nondairy options that meet the nutritional standards of milk, like fortified soy milk, and requires them to offer nondairy alternatives to kids who bring in a note from their parents. Previously, a doctor’s note was required. Nutrition experts called this an odd, if welcome, addition to a bill that benefits the dairy industry.
“Everything’s just so weird these days,” said Erica Kenney, an associate professor of public health nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
