S. 222: Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate that aims to amend existing school lunch programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Allowing Whole Milk Options

The bill permits schools that participate in the school lunch program to offer whole milk, along with other milk options such as:

• Flavored and unflavored organic or non-organic whole milk
• Reduced-fat milk
• Low-fat milk
• Fat-free milk
• Lactose-free milk

2. Guidelines for Milk Choices

Previously, there were restrictions on the types of milk that could be offered. The amendment facilitates a broader variety of fluid milk to be made available to students. Schools now have the flexibility to provide different types of milk according to the guidelines stipulated in the bill.

3. Parental and Guardian Involvement

The bill also modifies who can provide consent for students to receive certain types of milk. It changes the wording from only allowing a "physician" to now including "physician, parent, or legal guardian." This adjustment allows parents or guardians greater involvement in decisions related to their child’s milk consumption at school.

4. Saturated Fat Classification

A notable point in this bill is that it specifies that milk fat from any fluid milk served under the new guidelines will not be classified as saturated fat concerning compliance with regulations about meal saturated fat content. This means that whole milk will not negatively impact the school meals' compliance with certain dietary guidelines around saturated fats.

5. Target Audience

The primary audience for this legislation is school-aged children who participate in the National School Lunch Program. By allowing for more milk options, the bill aims to address dietary preferences and nutritional needs among students.

6. Implementation and Oversight

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for further discussion and consideration. If passed, it would change the regulations surrounding the school lunch programs and how they provide fluid milk to students across schools participating in the program.

7. Purpose and Goals

The overall objective of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 is to promote healthier dietary options for children in schools by allowing access to whole milk. The bill seeks to enhance the variety of milk available and support parental involvement in their children's nutrition at school.

Relevant Companies

• AmeriCold Realty Trust (COLD) - This company may be affected if there is a change in demand for types of milk supplied to schools.
• Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ) - As a producer of dairy products, Mondelez could see impacts based on shifts in school nutrition programs.
• PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) - PepsiCo may experience effects due to its dairy product offerings if the bill influences milk consumption trends in schools.