Study discusses milk changes in NYC Schools 2010-02-25 (2)

NEW YORK—A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that eliminating whole milk and changing from low-fat to fat-free chocolate milk did not decrease students’ milk consumption.

During the 2005-2006 school year, the New York City Department of Education removed whole milk from the cafeterias and flavored milks were limited to only fat-free chocolate milk. The study found that the changes in milk did not decrease the amount of milk students bought. “The DOE school milk purchases per student per year increased 1.3% in fiscal year 2009 compared with 2004 purchases,” the report stated.

“By removing whole milk and switching from low-fat to fat-free chocolate milk, NYC public school milk-drinking students were served an estimated 5,960 fewer calories and 619 fewer grams of fat in 2009 than they were in 2004,” the study said.

In 2009, low-fat or fat-free white milk accounted for 42% of DOE milk purchases, compared with 7% in 2004. Sweetened chocolate milk accounted for 61% of DOE purchased milk in 2004 and 57% in 2009.

To see the entire report, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5903a2.htm.