Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Mark Alford and 112 co-sponsors

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act allows schools to serve whole milk, enhancing nutrition options for students and promoting healthier dietary choices.

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-142.

Purpose

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 aims to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole milk. This legislation seeks to enhance the nutritional options available to students and promote healthier dietary choices.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant changes to the existing regulations regarding milk served in schools:

Milk Options:

Schools will be permitted to offer a variety of fluid milk, including:
- Flavored and unflavored organic or non-organic whole milk
- Reduced-fat, low-fat, fat-free, and lactose-free milk

Saturated Fat Regulations:

Milk fat in any fluid milk provided will not be counted as saturated fat when measuring compliance with the allowable average saturated fat content of meals, as outlined in federal regulations.

Prohibition on Certain Purchases:

Schools will be prohibited from purchasing or offering milk produced by state-owned enterprises from China.

Dietary Accommodations:

Schools must provide a substitute for fluid milk for students with dietary restrictions, upon receipt of a written statement from a licensed physician, parent, or legal guardian.

Limitations on Authority:

The Secretary of Agriculture will not have the authority to prohibit schools from offering the milk options described in the bill.

Impact

Students: The bill is expected to benefit students by providing them with more diverse milk options, potentially improving their overall nutrition and dietary satisfaction.

Schools: Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program will have increased flexibility in their milk offerings, which may help address student preferences and dietary needs.

Producers: The legislation may impact milk producers by increasing demand for whole milk in school programs.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: January 23, 2025

Committee Action:

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce on June 5, 2025.
Ordered to be reported (Amended) on February 12, 2025, with a vote of 24-10.

Current Status: The bill has been placed on the Union Calendar and is awaiting further consideration.

Conclusion

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 represents a significant shift in school nutrition policy, aiming to enhance the dietary options available to children in schools. By allowing the inclusion of whole milk and other varieties, the bill seeks to promote healthier eating habits among students while ensuring that schools can meet diverse dietary needs.

Bill