WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in school nutrition policy by allowing whole milk and 2% milk to be served once again in school cafeterias nationwide. This legislative change reverses the restrictions imposed under the Obama-era Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which had limited milk options to fat-free, low-fat, or flavored varieties.
During the signing ceremony, President Trump emphasized the nutritional benefits of whole milk, calling it “the perfect follow-up to the new Real Food pyramid” recently unveiled as part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. The updated food pyramid, promoted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), prioritizes high-fat and high-protein foods, a strategy that experts say aligns with emerging science on childhood nutrition.
“With this legislation, schools will finally be able to expand their offerings to include nutritious whole milk,” Trump said, highlighting the bill’s provision that also removes the previous requirement for a doctor’s written statement when parents request milk substitutes. “We’re eliminating that rather ridiculous policy, allowing parents to choose what is best for their child, which is a big move.”
Health officials and nutrition experts have welcomed the return of whole milk, citing studies that link higher milk fat consumption to lower rates of childhood obesity and improved brain development. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that dietary fats play a crucial role in early brain growth, and some research suggests that the reduction of milk fat in school meals may have inadvertently contributed to rising childhood obesity rates.
At the signing event, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the legislation as a step toward ending what he described as a “war on saturated fats” that has dominated nutritional policy for decades. Kennedy has been a vocal advocate for revising dietary guidelines to incorporate more whole foods and healthy fats, arguing that replacing fats with sugar-laden alternatives has fueled America’s obesity crisis.
The bill’s passage comes just one week after the release of the flipped food pyramid by the MAHA initiative, which has gained attention for its emphasis on protein and fat over carbohydrates. This new pyramid challenges long-standing federal dietary recommendations and seeks to realign school meal programs with current scientific understanding.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the National School Lunch Program, will now work with schools to implement the changes. The USDA’s website provides updated guidance on milk options and nutrition standards to help schools transition smoothly.
Parents and school administrators have expressed mixed reactions to the change. Some welcome the increased choice and potential health benefits, while others remain cautious about the implications for children’s overall dietary patterns.
As this policy takes effect, ongoing monitoring by agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC will be essential to assess its impact on children’s health outcomes. Meanwhile, the debate over the optimal balance of fats, sugars, and proteins in school meals is expected to continue.
For now, the return of whole milk to cafeterias marks a notable shift in federal nutrition policy, reflecting evolving perspectives on childhood health and wellness.
