Senate Democrats have blocked a bill that would have allowed whole milk in school lunch programs
Senate Democrats Block Legislation Allowing Schools to Serve Whole Milk
Senate Democrats blocked an opportunity to vote this week on legislation allowing schools enrolled in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole milk.
On Thursday, Democrat Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Debbie Stabenow refused to allow lawmakers a vote on the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act, which passed the House Wednesday. The legislation amends the Richard Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools with federally subsidized lunch programs to offer whole milk alongside low-fat varieties.
“Access to healthy and nutritious whole milk should not be controversial,” said Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. “I was heartened to see the overwhelming bipartisan support for our bill last night in the House. With this momentum, we thought we had a real opportunity to come together and get a bipartisan win in the Senate to close out the year.”
It remains unclear why the Democrats blocked the measure. When reached for comment Friday, Stabenow’s office referred The Federalist to the senator’s brief remarks on the Senate floor Thursday night.
Stabenow cited incumbent dietary guidelines that broadly recommend a low-fat diet.
“Dairy is a very important part of a balanced meal, but one thing is clear,” Stabenow said, “and that is that school meal standards, currently based on dietary science, should continue to be based on dietary guidelines, not based on which individual food products that we support.”
“At this point in time, I do not believe it’s in the best interest to be able to move forward on this bill,” Stabenow finished.
Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally proposed an update to the agency’s definition of “health” to promote foods higher in saturated fat content, such as salmon, over ultra-processed cereals. The USDA, Stabenow mentioned, “is in the process right now [of] updating school meal[] standards.”
Americans, however, are slowly waking up to the devastation of the low-fat diet institutionalized by policymakers and major public health groups such as the American Heart Association (AHA), which endorsed the diet regimen more than 60 years ago. And they’re waking up with a hangover. About 6 in 10 American adults are suffering from at least one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 suffer from at least two, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Childhood obesity, meanwhile, has reached epidemic levels, with nearly 1 in 5 children being categorically obese.
While it might be a stretch to say the dietary guidelines caused the unprecedented outbreak of obesity and disease, the low-fat recommendations certainly haven’t prevented present health crises.
Nina Teicholz spent nearly a decade researching the science behind health authorities’ embrace of a low-fat diet and published her findings in her 2014 book,
What are the arguments for and against serving whole milk in schools?
Terests of our children’s health to change the standards under which we are feeding them,” she continued. “While whole milk does provide some nutrients, it also contains high levels of fat and cholesterol, which can negatively impact heart health. This is why the dietary guidelines recommend low-fat options.”
However, proponents of the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act argue that whole milk can actually have several health benefits for children. Whole milk is rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that are crucial for growth and development. It also contains healthy fats that help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Research has shown that the consumption of whole milk does not contribute to obesity or heart disease in children. In fact, some studies suggest that children who consume whole milk have a lower risk of becoming overweight or developing metabolic syndrome.
By denying schools the option to serve whole milk, Democrats are limiting the choices available to students and potentially depriving them of important nutrients. Additionally, it is important to consider that not all students prefer the taste of low-fat milk, and forcing them to consume it can discourage them from drinking milk altogether. This may result in a decrease in calcium and other essential nutrients intake.
The Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act has gained support from various industry groups, including the National Milk Producers Federation and the National Farmers Union. These organizations argue that allowing whole milk in schools will benefit dairy farmers and provide students with better access to nutritious options.
Despite the setback, supporters of the legislation vow to continue their efforts to make whole milk available in schools. They argue that local school districts should have the flexibility to decide which types of milk to offer based on the preferences and nutritional needs of their students.
In conclusion, the decision by Senate Democrats to block the legislation allowing schools to serve whole milk raises questions about the priorities and motivations of our elected representatives. While the intent may be to promote healthier eating habits, it is crucial to consider the scientific evidence and the potential benefits of whole milk for children. By restricting their options, policymakers may inadvertently be preventing children from receiving important nutrients and hindering their overall health. As the debate continues, it is important for legislators to listen to the concerns of parents, educators, and experts and make decisions that prioritize the well-being of our children.
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