Feb. 5, 2023 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed new guidelines for school breakfasts and lunches that would lower the amount of sodium and sugar being served.
The guidelines are designed to bring school meals in line with federal dietary standards and to help reduce childhood obesity and other diseases. The proposals are open for comment before they become law and could be revised.
The sugar proposal has two phases that target products and overall weekly limits.
Added sugars in school meal foods such as breakfast cereals, flavored milks (such as chocolate milk), grain-based desserts, and yogurt would need to be reduced starting in Fall 2025. For instance, flavored milk could have no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8 fluid ounces, and breakfast cereal would be limited to no more than 6 grams of added sugar per ounce.
Overall, all added sugars in school meals would need to be less than 10% of calories per meal by 2027.
Reductions in sodium would be phased in. Salt in school breakfasts would need to be cut by 10% in 2025 and another 10% in 2027. Sodium in lunches would need to be cut 10% in 2025, 2027, and 2029.
The USDA is seeking feedback on two options for flavored milk: limiting it for grades 9-12 or allowing it for all grades. Both options would limit added sugars.
Increasing the number of whole grains being eaten is also another USDA focus. The department is looking for feedback on a proposal that would require 80% of grains per week to be whole grain and another proposal allowing non-whole, enriched grain products, such as white flour tortillas to be served one day per week.
The School Nutrition Association, a trade group, said school food is already healthy and that the new rules would be a burden for school systems.
“Research shows students receive their healthiest meals at school, thanks to current nutrition standards,” SNA President Lori Adkins said. “As schools nationwide contend with persistent supply chain, labor and financial challenges, school meal programs are struggling to successfully maintain current standards and need support, not additional, unrealistic requirements.”
