Sugar, Salt Limits in School Meals to Combat Child Obesity

Listen to this News

Highlights:

• Officials from the United States Department of Agriculture announced new nutrition standards for school meals
• They have called for limits on added sugars, with an emphasis on sweetened items such as cereals, yogurt, flavored milk, and morning pastries
• The revised plan also aims to considerably reduce salt in school meals supplied to children by 2029

The USDA has suggested new recommendations for school breakfasts and lunches that will reduce the amount of sodium and sugar offered.

The rules are intended to align school meals with federal nutritional standards and to aid in the reduction of childhood obesity and associated disorders. The suggestions are open for public discussion before becoming law and may be changed.

‘The healthy school meals initiative by the United States Department of Agriculture, which provides breakfast to more than 15 million children and lunch to roughly 30 million children every day, aims to boost nutrition and match the meals with US dietary requirements.’

The sugar plan is divided into two parts that target specific goods as well as general weekly limitations.

Reducing Added Sugars in School Meals

Beginning in the fall of 2025, added sugars in school lunch meals such as morning cereals, flavored milk (such as chocolate milk), grain-based desserts, and yogurt would need to be reduced. Flavored milk, for example, must include no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8 fluid ounces, and breakfast cereal should contain no more than 6 grams of added sugar per ounce.

By 2027, all added sugars in school meals must be less than 10% of total calories.

Reducing Salt in School Breakfasts

Sodium reductions would be phased in. Salt in school breakfasts would have to be reduced by 10% in 2025, followed by another 10% in 2027. Lunch sodium levels would need to be reduced by 10% in 2025, 2027, and 2029.

Providing Healthy Meals at Schools

"Research shows students receive their healthiest meals at school, thanks to current nutrition standards," SNA President Lori Adkins said. "As schools nationwide contend with persistent supply chain, labor and financial challenges, school meal programs are struggling to successfully maintain current standards and need support, not additional, unrealistic requirements."

Source: Medindia

Cite this Article ⇣⇡

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

• APA

  Dr. Trupti Shirole. (2023, February 07). Sugar, Salt Limits in School Meals to Combat Child Obesity. Medindia. Retrieved on Nov 22, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/sugar-salt-limits-in-school-meals-to-combat-childhood-obesity-210390-1.htm.

• MLA

  Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Sugar, Salt Limits in School Meals to Combat Child Obesity". Medindia. Nov 22, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/sugar-salt-limits-in-school-meals-to-combat-childhood-obesity-210390-1.htm>.

• Chicago

  Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Sugar, Salt Limits in School Meals to Combat Child Obesity". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/sugar-salt-limits-in-school-meals-to-combat-childhood-obesity-210390-1.htm. (accessed Nov 22, 2024).

• Harvard

  Dr. Trupti Shirole. 2023. Sugar, Salt Limits in School Meals to Combat Child Obesity. Medindia, viewed Nov 22, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/sugar-salt-limits-in-school-meals-to-combat-childhood-obesity-210390-1.htm.