The National Milk Producers Federation says it applauds USDA's new school snack ruling, which will ensure dairy products will remain in schools for sometime to come.
The "Smart Snacks in Schools" nutrition standards affect calorie, fat, sodium and sugar content of foods offered apart from the school lunch line. These “competitive” foods may be offered in vending machines or other a la carte settings.
Under the new regulations, competitive foods must meet all the rule’s nutrient standards and either have as the first ingredient one of the major food groups, including dairy; or, until June 30, 2016, contain 10 percent of the daily value of a nutrient of public health concern — calcium, potassium, vitamin D or dietary fiber.
The regulation’s nutrient standards affect the following dairy products:
- Low-fat and fat-free unflavored milk, and fat-free flavored milk, can be offered at all grade levels, with 8-ounce portions for elementary schools and 12 ounces in middle and high schools.
- Reduced-fat cheeses (including part-skim mozzarella) are exempt from fat standards, but must meet sodium standards of 230mg through June 30, 2016 and then 200 mg after July 1, 2016.
- Yogurt is subject to a sugar limit (35 percent by weight) that should facilitate dairy consumption.
“The goal of the regulations — the first comprehensive rule to cover school foods beyond federally reimbursed lunches and breakfasts — is to improve the health of the nation’s children and increase their consumption of healthy foods,” said Jim Mulhern, chief operating officer of NMPF.
“As an important source of nine essential nutrients kids need, milk and dairy foods figure prominently in the new standards. We look forward to working with USDA to implement the standards and to continuing to improve the health of our children.” PD
—From National Milk Producers Federation news release
