The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday the steps it plans to take to promote health through school meals. These measures, which will be implemented over the next few years, include first-ever limits on added sugar, reducing sodium content and allowing schools to source more food locally.
Most of these school lunch updates are expected to take place between fall 2025 and fall 2027. This change was made after the USDA listened to the public and used science-based recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The new rules are part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to reduce diet-related illnesses by 2030.
The updated nutritional standards are as follows:
– Added sugar will be restricted in school meals by fall 2025. Research shows that sugar is most commonly found in breakfast items such as cereal and yogurt, where restrictions begin. New limits on added sugar will also be added to flavored and unflavored dairy products.
– Schools must “slightly reduce” sodium content in meals by fall 2027. The amount was not stated in the press release, but it was stated that the decision was based on previous judgments agreed in 2017 and 2018.
– Starting in fall 2024, schools will begin offering protein-rich breakfast options such as yogurt, tofu, eggs, nuts and seeds, in addition to increasing vegetarian options.
– Next year, schools will have the option to require raw produce to be grown, raised or harvested locally. To strengthen the role of American farmers, starting in the fall of 2025, schools will be able to limit the percentage of non-domestic grown and produced food they can purchase.
