The nation’s school meals will get a makeover under new nutrition standards that limit added sugars for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.
The final rule also trims sodium in kids’ meals, although not by the 30% first proposed in 2023. And it continues to allow flavored milks — such as chocolate milk — with less sugar, rather than adopting an option that would have offered only unflavored milk to the youngest kids.
The aim is to improve nutrition and align with U.S. dietary guidelines in the program that provides breakfasts to more than 15 million students and lunches to nearly 30 million students every day at a cost of about $22.6 billion per year.
“All of this is designed to ensure that students have quality meals and that we meet parents’ expectations,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters.
Biden administration is announcing plans for up to 12 lease sales for offshore wind energy
VOX POPULI: Rooting for the Sendai killifish that survived the 2011 tsunami
Donald Trump's Georgia judge dismisses some criminal charges
The WNBA's Dallas Wings are planning a move downtown from the suburbs in two years
Russia's presidential vote starts final day with accusations of Kyiv sabotage
Minister 'not convinced' Fire and Emergency needs further levy boost
Two Premier League stars, both 19, arrested in a rape probe are 'suspended by their club'
Russia's presidential vote starts final day with accusations of Kyiv sabotage