Whole Milk Returns to School Cafeterias: A New Era in School Nutrition
By JONEL ALECCIA, Associated Press
In a move that marks a significant shift in school nutrition policy, President Donald Trump has signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, allowing schools to serve whole and 2% fat milk alongside skim and low-fat options. This change is expected to impact nearly 30 million students enrolled in the National School Lunch Program.
A Long-Overdue Correction
According to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new law is “a long-overdue correction to school nutrition policy.” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins also weighed in, stating that it fixes Michelle Obama’s “short-sighted campaign to ditch whole milk.” The law permits schools to serve nondairy milk alternatives that meet nutritional standards, and students can request these options with a note from their parents, rather than a doctor’s note.
The signing of the bill comes on the heels of the release of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which emphasize the consumption of full-fat dairy products as part of a healthy diet. This marks a departure from previous guidelines, which recommended low-fat or fat-free dairy for individuals over the age of 2. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a top nutrition expert from Tufts University, notes that “saturated fat in dairy has not been linked to any adverse health outcomes.”
The Science Behind the Decision
Research has shown that whole milk consumption may have a positive impact on children’s health, with one 2020 review suggesting that kids who drink whole milk are 40% less likely to be overweight or develop obesity. While the exact relationship between milk consumption and obesity is still being studied, the new law reflects a growing body of evidence that challenges the notion that low-fat dairy is inherently healthier.
The dairy industry has long advocated for the return of whole milk to school meals, citing its nutritional benefits and the fact that many children prefer the taste of whole milk over lower-fat options. With the new law in place, schools will be required to provide students with a range of fluid milk options, including flavored and unflavored organic or conventional whole milk, 2%, 1%, and lactose-free milk, as well as non-dairy alternatives that meet nutrition standards.
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