Students in American schools could soon see whole milk back on their lunch trays after President Donald J. Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, ending a ban on higher-fat milk options that has been in place for more than a decade.
The legislation allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, which serves nearly 30 million children nationwide, to offer whole and 2% milk alongside low-fat and fat-free versions. Non-dairy alternatives, such as fortified plant-based milks, can also be provided if parents request them.
The move follows the release of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which reintroduce full-fat dairy as part of a healthy diet.
The signing, held in the Oval Office, included bipartisan lawmakers, top administration officials, dairy farmers, and families. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said the law would benefit both students and rural communities reliant on dairy production. “Whole milk is back — and it’s the right move for kids, parents, and America’s dairy farmers,” she said.
The law reverses a 2012 rule under the Obama administration’s Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which restricted school milk to low-fat or fat-free options to combat childhood obesity. Critics argued that many children disliked skim milk and avoided drinking it, leading to missed nutrients and increased food waste. Some studies now suggest that children who consume whole milk may be less likely to become overweight than those who drink lower-fat alternatives.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described the legislation as “a long-overdue correction to school nutrition policy,” while Rollins emphasised its role in supporting the U.S. dairy industry, which has seen increased exports and growing demand for full-fat milk.
The law will gradually take effect from the 2026–2027 school year as schools adjust supply chains and assess student demand. It is expected to impact millions of children and represents a significant shift in U.S. nutrition policy, aligning school meals with updated dietary recommendations.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
