For the time being, the USDA says flavoured milk may remain in schools.
According to Dairy MAX, when flavoured milk is available, children are more likely to consume their three daily portions of milk, with low-fat chocolate milk being the most popular choice 70% of the time.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) are upbeat about the USDA’s planned revisions to school food nutrition guidelines, particularly the USDA’s intentions to keep low-fat flavoured milk available to kids.
The USDA is seeking feedback on two recommendations, dubbed “alternatives,” for how to manage flavoured milk in the future:
Alternative A: Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, high school students (grades 9-12) will be allowed to drink flavoured milk (fat-free and low-fat) during school lunch and breakfast. Elementary and middle school students (grades K-8) would only be able to drink fat-free or low-fat unflavored milk. The USDA is also seeking public feedback on whether to expand the age range for flavoured milk to include students in grades 6-8, limiting only children in grades K-5 to fat-free and/or low-fat unflavored milk. Sugars added to flavoured milk would be restricted in both circumstances.
Alternative B: Maintain the present norm, which permits all schools to provide flavoured and unflavored fat-free and low-fat milk during school lunch and breakfast. Sugars added to flavoured milk would be kept to a minimum.
“We are pleased that the USDA is keeping low-fat flavoured milk in schools, giving children another, and preferred, option for accessing the 13 essential nutrients milk provides, including three of the four nutrients of public health concern,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.
“However, we query why the USDA would recommend school lunch alternatives that potentially restrict a child’s access to these nutrients, and instead encourage them to extend access to dairy options.”
According to the NMPF and the IDFA, they are carefully analysing other aspects in the proposed regulation, such as the weekly added sugars and salt limitations, to determine their influence on children’ capacity to benefit from nutrient-dense dairy products. The organisations will submit official comments as asked by the USDA, which will be allowed until April 10, 2023.
Comments on the proposed rule may be made in writing using the guidelines in the Federal Register Notice.
As part of its transitional nutrition guidelines issued in February 2021, the USDA permitted low-fat flavoured milk to be sold in schools. The new final rule allows schools and daycare facilities serving participants aged six and up to provide flavoured low-fat (1%) milk in addition to nonfat flavoured milk and nonfat or low-fat unflavored milk.
“Milk is the leading source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in kids ages 2-18, and 1% flavoured milk is a nutrient-dense, low-fat choice children will really prefer to drink,” Mulhern noted.
According to Dairy MAX, a regional dairy council cooperation in many Southern and Western states, when flavoured milk is available, children are more likely to consume their three daily portions of milk. In fact, 70% of kids prefer flavoured milk, with low-fat chocolate milk being the most popular option.
