This bill allows schools to offer whole milk in the National School Lunch Program, reversing restrictions that currently limit options to low-fat and fat-free milk. It also excludes milk fat from saturated fat calculations and bans milk from Chinese state-owned enterprises.
Latest Action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 111.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows schools to offer whole milk in the National School Lunch Program, reversing restrictions that currently limit options to low-fat and fat-free milk. It also excludes milk fat from saturated fat calculations and bans milk from Chinese state-owned enterprises.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA).</p><p>Currently, schools participating in the program must provide milk that is consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans; USDA regulations require milk to be fat-free or low-fat and allow milk to be flavored or unflavored. The bill modifies these restrictions and instead permits schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk. The milk that is offered may be organic or nonorganic. Further, USDA may not prohibit a participating school from offering students any of these milk choices.</p><p>Further, schools currently must provide a substitute for fluid milk, on receipt of a written statement from a licensed physician, for students whose disability restricts their diet. Under the bill, a parent or legal guardian may also provide the written statement.</p><p>In addition, schools currently participating in the program must provide meals that meet certain nutrition requirements; USDA regulations require that the average saturated fat content of the meals offered must be less than 10% of the total calories. Under the bill, fluid milk is excluded from the saturated fat content calculation; milk fat included in any fluid milk provided by the program must not be considered saturated fat for the purposes of measuring compliance with USDA regulations.</p><p>Finally, the bill prohibits schools participating in the program from purchasing or offering milk produced by Chinese state-owned enterprises.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows whole milk in National School Lunch Program
Parents can request milk substitutes without physician note
Prohibits milk from Chinese state-owned enterprises
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
School children would have access to whole milk at lunch, which supporters say is more nutritious and satisfying. Dairy farmers support the change as it could boost milk consumption. Nutrition experts debate whether increased saturated fat intake is appropriate for children.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Related Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Asia
Child health
China
Department of Agriculture
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Nutrition and diet
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
649, 119th Congress (2025). "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-649
