The United States government is set to overhaul long-standing school nutrition guidelines as President Donald Trump prepares to reverse Obama-era rules that restricted the availability of whole and 2% milk in public schools.
Eko Hot News reports that the policy shift will allow schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to once again serve whole and 2% milk to students, ending restrictions introduced under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
The decision is anchored on the signing of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which removes limits that previously confined schools to offering only fat-free or low-fat milk options as part of federally funded meal programmes.
According to officials, the move reflects updated dietary research suggesting that full-fat dairy can play a positive role in children’s nutrition, especially in supporting healthy growth and sustained energy levels during school hours.
Supporters of the policy argue that the reversal will expand choice for parents and students, while also addressing concerns that strict nutritional mandates have led to reduced milk consumption and increased food waste in schools.
The Trump camp described the change as a practical approach to child nutrition, arguing that flexibility in school meal planning is essential for improving participation in lunch programmes nationwide.
Under the revised framework, schools will still be required to meet federal nutritional standards but will have the discretion to include whole and 2% milk alongside existing low-fat options.
The policy change is also expected to benefit dairy farmers across the United States by boosting demand for a wider range of milk products within the school system.
Public health debates around the role of dietary fats have evolved in recent years, with experts increasingly emphasising balanced diets rather than strict fat elimination, particularly for children.
Education and nutrition stakeholders have welcomed the development as an opportunity to align school meals with modern dietary science and student preferences.
If fully implemented, the policy will apply to public schools nationwide that rely on federal meal funding, marking a significant shift in school nutrition policy.
The development adds to broader discussions on food choice, health outcomes, and federal oversight of school feeding programmes in the United States.
