USDA sets new limits on school meals, combat diet-related diseases

WASHINGTON, D.C.: This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new limits to the sugar and sodium contents of meals served at U.S. public schools to millions of American children.

The new standards are part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to combat childhood obesity and other diet-related diseases.

Announcing the new standards, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "We all share the goal of helping children reach their full potential."

The USDA said that for the first time, schools around the U.S. will be required to limit added sugars in meals by 2027, and slightly reduce sodium content.

The plan also aims to enable schools to offer protein-rich and vegetarian options and encourage districts to buy locally-grown or raised foods.

The USDA said that to support U.S. farmers, the standards will limit the percentage of food grown or raised outside the U.S. from 2025.

Cindy Long, USDA food and nutrition service administrator, said, "The new standards build on the great progress that school meals have made already and address remaining challenges."

The department added that U.S. public schools serve breakfast and lunch to some 30 million children daily.

However, some school nutrition directors warned that stricter guidelines could force schools to reduce back menus, which could mean that students will have fewer healthy food choices.

They added that inflated food prices and labor shortages could also make new regulations difficult to implement.