Trump Signs Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, Reinstating Whole and 2% Milk in School Lunches
President Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, allowing whole and 2% milk in school lunches and expanding nondairy options; rollout may vary.
Overview
President Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act at the White House, reversing Obama-era limits and allowing whole and 2% milk in National School Lunch Program cafeterias.
The law permits schools to offer flavored and unflavored whole, 2%, 1%, lactose-free and fortified nondairy milks, affecting roughly 30 million students nationwide when implemented.
Administration officials and dairy groups hailed the change as correcting past policy and restoring choice; HHS Secretary Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Rollins promoted full-fat dairy benefits for children's development.
Nutrition experts remain divided: some cite studies suggesting whole milk may reduce obesity risk, while others and the American Heart Association warn lower-fat dairy supports heart health.
Schools must assess demand, adjust supply chains, and address costs; districts may delay rollout to negotiate pricing, while USDA guidance will define program rules and timing.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the return of whole milk as a corrective policy win by privileging pro-milk voices (Trump’s “whole milk is a great thing,” dairy industry praise, Ag Dept “Drink Whole Milk” post) while giving limited space to independent critics; structural choices put supportive quotes up front and cite selective studies favorable to whole milk.
Sources (10)
FAQ
The act permits schools in the National School Lunch Program to offer whole milk, 2% reduced-fat milk, 1% low-fat milk, fat-free milk, lactose-free milk, and nutritionally equivalent nondairy beverages, both flavored and unflavored.
President Trump signed the act into law on January 14, 2026, and it took effect immediately for the NSLP.[1]
It reverses Obama-era restrictions from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which limited school lunches to low-fat or fat-free milk.[3]
The International Dairy Foods Association celebrated the signing, calling it a win for children, parents, and school nutrition leaders, providing flexibility in milk options.[2]
Some experts cite studies suggesting whole milk may reduce obesity risk, while others, including the American Heart Association, recommend lower-fat dairy for heart health.[story]
History
6 sources