Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs

The Soy Nutrition Institute Global (SNI Global) argues that the final rule is insufficient because it only addresses cow's milk provisions and fails to include the expanded nondairy beverage provisions from the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. They request that the USDA move quickly to issue additional regulations that allow for easier access to soymilk and other nutritionally equivalent nondairy beverages in school meal programs.

USA Pulses supports the USDA's actions to implement the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act but argues that the current regulatory text is insufficient. They urge the USDA to codify provisions for nutritionally equivalent nondairy beverages and updated written statement requirements for students with disabilities to ensure consistency with the statute and existing guidance.

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) supports the expansion of fluid milk options and urges the USDA to quickly implement the remaining provisions of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. They argue that providing consistent authority to offer nutritionally equivalent nondairy beverages across all child nutrition programs will reduce administrative confusion, improve access for students with dietary restrictions, and support American agricultural producers.

The Chef Ann Foundation supports the USDA's efforts to expand fluid milk options, specifically whole milk, to provide more nutrient-dense protein sources for children. However, the organization also urges the agency to expand access to non-dairy alternatives across all programs and to prohibit flavored milk in elementary schools to reduce added sugar intake.

The New York City Department of Health, along with the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy and NYC Public Schools, supports the USDA's move to allow schools more flexibility in fluid milk options. However, they urge the USDA to include fluid milk substitutes in these expanded options, set a limit on added sugars for those substitutes, and maintain the requirement to include saturated fat from fluid milk in weekly average calculations.

The Vermont Agency of Education supports the final rule expanding fluid milk options because it resolves confusion regarding milk types across different meal services. However, the agency expresses concern that the rule fails to address remaining discrepancies in documentation requirements for milk substitutes and criticizes the USDA for bypassing the standard public notice and comment period.

A parent of a child with religious dietary restrictions is requesting that regulations be issued to allow schools to proactively offer nondairy milk options. They argue that providing nutritionally equivalent nondairy milk at every meal service ensures all students have access to healthy beverages.