The policy is a part of President Joe Biden’s aim to stop the increases in childhood obesity, diabetes and nutrition-related diseases by 2030.
The new rules would limit the amount of sugar in certain foods, starting at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. The proposed programme would limit added sugar in yogurts, flavoured milks and cereals as well as introducing sodium limits in the future.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said: "Many children aren't getting the nutrition they need, and diet-related diseases are on the rise. Research shows school meals are the healthiest meals in a day for most kids, proving that they are an important tool for giving kids access to the nutrition they need for a bright future.
“We must all step up to support child health if we are to achieve the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases by 2030, in accordance with the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. Strengthening school meals is one of the best ways we can achieve that goal.”
The proposals include:
- Limiting added sugars in certain high-sugar products and, later, across the weekly menu
- Allowing flavoured milk in certain circumstances and with reasonable limits on added sugars
- Incrementally reducing weekly sodium limits over many school years
- Emphasising products that are primarily whole grain, with the option for occasional non-whole grain products