The Biden administration announced new rules on Wednesday that will limit the sugar and sodium content of meals served to millions of children at U.S. public schools. These standards are part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to combat diet-related diseases, such as childhood obesity.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, “We all share the goal of helping children reach their full potential,” as he unveiled the new standards. The plan will require schools to limit added sugars in meals nationwide by 2027 and slightly reduce sodium content. Additionally, schools will be encouraged to offer protein-rich and vegetarian options, as well as buy locally grown or raised foods.
Starting in 2025, the standards will also impose limits on the percentage of food grown or raised outside the United States, in an effort to support U.S. farmers. Cindy Long, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator, stated, “The new standards build on the great progress that school meals have made already and address remaining challenges.”
However, some school nutrition directors have expressed concerns that stricter meal guidelines could force schools to scale back menus, potentially leading students to make less healthy food choices. They have also noted that inflated food prices and labor shortages may make it difficult to implement these new regulations.
The debate over school nutrition has been ongoing for years, with the Obama administration implementing stricter standards and the Trump administration rolling back some of those requirements. Now, the Biden administration is taking steps to ensure that children are provided with healthier meal options in schools across the country.
