Bill allowing whole milk in schools passes U.S. House

A federal bill that would allow whole milk to be served in schools is one step closer to becoming law. 

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week with a vote of 330-99. The bipartisan bill was first introduced by Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) earlier this year. 

The bill now heads to the Senate. If signed into law, schools participating in the National School Lunch Program would be able to serve students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk.

"Milk is an essential building block for a well-rounded and balanced diet, offering 13 essential nutrients and numerous health benefits. However, out-of-touch and outdated federal regulations have imposed restrictions on the types of milk students have access to in school meals,” Rep. Thompson said in a statement. “I am pleased to see my bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act pass out of the United States House of Representatives, and I ultimately look forward to restoring access to these nutritious beverages in schools across the country."

Currently, only low-fat or fat free milk is allowed to be served in schools. It can be flavored or unflavored. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently deciding whether to further limit flavored milk in schools by offering it to only students in grades 9-12. 

A separate group of federal lawmakers are also pushing for plant-based milk alternatives to be served in schools as well.