Overview
- President Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, allowing whole and reduced‑fat milk in federally supported school meals and undoing a 2010 restriction to skim or 1% options.
- HHS simultaneously issued new Dietary Guidelines that remove prior low‑fat milk guidance, with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arguing the earlier limits harmed children’s health.
- The administration is promoting the shift with milk‑themed web videos using AI imagery, including clips featuring Kennedy and athlete Riley Gaines and a revival of milk‑mustache branding.
- Schools now may offer fortified plant‑based beverages as alternatives with parental permission, and they are no longer required to collect medical documentation.
- Districts can choose which milks to serve based on student preferences, budgets, and nutrition goals, as public‑health experts debate saturated‑fat risks versus potential benefits like reduced waste and improved nutrient intake.