Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07), joined by seven members of Congress, introduced H.R. XX, the Milk is Indisputably Liked by Kids Act of 2023 – or MILK Act for short. This bill would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools to offer flavored milk under the school lunch program.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering banning chocolate milk from elementary and middle schools. This comes after the USDA issued a proposed rule in February that would set new nutrition standards for school meals. The new standards could limit the amount of flavored milk, such as chocolate and strawberry.
“Providing our children access to a healthy and nutritious product is the fundamental basis to maintain a healthy diet. Millions of children rely on the nutrition from milk to help them grow and develop. We applaud Congressman Tiffany and the other cosponsors.” said Brody Stapel, President of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.
According to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, removing flavored milk from schools resulted in a 62-63 percent reduction in milk consumption by kids in kindergarten through 5th grade, as well as a 50 percent reduction in 6th through 8th grades.
The Biden administration’s proposed new nutrition standards will affect roughly 30 million students who participate in the USDA’s school meal programs.
The full text of Rep. Tiffany’s MILK Act can be found here.