H.R.649 - Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.649, the "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025," aims to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools participating in the program to serve whole milk. The bill permits schools to offer flavored and unflavored organic or non-organic whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free fluid milk, as well as lactose-free fluid milk. It also stipulates that milk fat in fluid milk provided under the Act will not be considered saturated fat for compliance measurements.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits schools from purchasing milk produced by China state-owned enterprises and prevents the Secretary from prohibiting schools from offering the specified milk options. The bill was reported with an amendment and committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would expand the types of milk that schools can offer under the National School Lunch Program. This could lead to increased consumption of whole milk among students. It may also impact the nutritional content of school lunches and the sourcing of milk products.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Choice: Students would have more options for milk, including whole milk, which some may prefer.
- Potential Health Benefits: Proponents argue whole milk provides essential nutrients and fats beneficial for children's development.
- Support for Dairy Farmers: Increased demand for whole milk could benefit dairy farmers.
- Reduced Food Waste: If students prefer whole milk, it could reduce milk waste in schools.
- Flexibility for Schools: Schools would have greater flexibility in meeting student preferences and nutritional needs.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Health Concerns: Opponents argue that increased consumption of saturated fat from whole milk could contribute to health problems.
- Nutritional Imbalance: Replacing lower-fat milk options with whole milk could increase the overall fat content of school lunches.
- Cost Implications: Whole milk may be more expensive than lower-fat options, potentially increasing costs for schools.
- Impact on Dietary Guidelines: The bill could conflict with dietary guidelines that recommend limiting saturated fat intake.
- Unintended Consequences: The prohibition on purchasing milk from China state-owned enterprises may have unintended trade consequences.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve the nutritional options available to students in schools (Preamble). Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which could be relevant to the provision prohibiting the purchase of milk from China state-owned enterprises. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
However, the specific nutritional standards and dietary guidelines implemented under the National School Lunch Act are policy choices made by Congress and the executive branch. The Constitution does not prescribe specific nutritional requirements for school lunches.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).