30:T78d,

USDA Proposes New School Meal Nutrition Standards to Limit Added Sugar

In February 2023, the USDA announced a significant proposed rule to update nutrition standards for school meals, which currently serve approximately 30 million U.S. children, many of whom face food and nutrition insecurity. While the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act improved overall nutrition by limiting fat, sodium, and calories and requiring whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, it notably lacked specific limits on added sugar.

Research indicates that current school meals, particularly breakfasts, frequently exceed recommended daily limits for added sugar, with some studies showing up to 92% of schools exceeding the 10% of total calories from added sugar recommendation. A recent study confirmed parents' perceptions that school meals are "full of sugar," finding an average of eight teaspoons (33 grams) of added sugar per day, surpassing the American Heart Association's daily limit of six teaspoons. High added sugar intake in children is linked to serious health issues, including tooth decay, excess weight gain, cardiovascular risk factors, and insulin resistance.

The new USDA proposal aims to address this by establishing the first-ever limit on added sugars in school meals, requiring them to contain less than 10% of total daily calories from added sugar, aligning with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It also includes further sodium reductions. This proposal is open for public comment for 60 days, with full implementation anticipated by the 2027-2028 school year, following interim limits on high-sugar items like flavored milk and cereals starting in 2025-2026. The initiative is seen as a crucial step forward for children's health, though it is expected to face pushback from the food industry. Concurrently, California is considering its own bill to implement even stricter added sugar limits sooner.

34:T78d,

USDA Proposes New School Meal Nutrition Standards to Limit Added Sugar

In February 2023,