Overview
- President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, allowing whole and 2% milk in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that serves roughly 30 million students.
- USDA pushed the change with a ‘milk mustache’ campaign featuring Trump, while an AI-style video from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went viral and drew ridicule online.
- New York City’s Department of Education said it will keep serving 1% and skim milk for now despite the federal change, reflecting uneven local adoption.
- The law exempts milk fat from the saturated‑fat cap used in meal planning and expands access to nutritionally equivalent non‑dairy options with a parental note instead of a doctor’s note.
- Supporters point to the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines and potential to reduce waste, while some health experts flag saturated‑fat concerns and schools anticipate cost and supply adjustments ahead of possible rollout next school year.