At a Glance
- President Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, reversing Obama-era limits on higher-fat milk in schools
- The law allows whole and 2% milk back into the National School Lunch Program for the first time since 2012
- Schools must now offer nondairy alternatives if parents provide a note about dietary restrictions
- Why it matters: The change will affect meals served to about 30 million students nationwide
President Trump has overturned decade-old restrictions on whole and 2% milk in school cafeterias, signing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law during a White House ceremony that brought together lawmakers, dairy farmers and their families.
The legislation, which cleared Congress last fall, marks a significant shift from the 2012 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act championed by former first lady Michelle Obama. That law aimed to reduce childhood obesity by limiting saturated fat and calories in school meals.
What Changes for Schools
Starting as early as this fall, schools participating in the National School Lunch Program can serve:
- Whole milk (flavored and unflavored)
- 2% milk
- 1% milk
- Lactose-free milk
- Non-dairy options meeting federal nutrition standards
The law also expands access to nondairy alternatives. Schools must now offer these options when parents submit a note about their child’s dietary restriction, removing the previous requirement for a doctor’s note.
30 million students enrolled in the program will see these changes in their daily meals.
New Dietary Guidelines Align With Changes
The signing follows the release of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which now recommend full-fat dairy products as part of a healthy diet. Previous editions had advised consumers over age 2 to choose low-fat or fat-free dairy options.
The updated guidelines specifically call for “full-fat dairy with no added sugars,” which could eliminate chocolate- and strawberry-flavored milks currently allowed under recent school meal standards.
Political Support and Opposition
“Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, whole milk is a great thing,” Trump said during the signing ceremony.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described the new law as “a long-overdue correction to school nutrition policy.” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins characterized it as fixing Michelle Obama’s “short-sighted campaign to ditch whole milk.”
The law exempts milk fat from federal requirements that limit saturated fats to less than 10% of calories in school meals.
Science Behind the Shift
Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University, a leading nutrition expert, stated there is “no meaningful benefit” in choosing low-fat over high-fat dairy. He explained that saturated fatty acids in dairy have a different composition than other fats, such as beef fat, and contain beneficial compounds that could offset theoretical harms.
“Saturated fat in dairy has not been linked to any adverse health outcomes,” Mozaffarian told Ryan J. Thompson.
Recent research supports this position. A 2020 review of 28 studies found that children who drink whole milk had a 40% lower risk of being overweight or developing obesity compared to those drinking lower-fat milk, though researchers noted they couldn’t establish whether milk consumption caused this difference.
Implementation Timeline
While the changes could take effect this fall, school nutrition and dairy industry officials acknowledge that some districts may need additional time to assess student demand for full-fat dairy and adjust their supply chains accordingly.
The Agriculture Department has already begun promoting the change, posting a photo of Trump with a glass of milk and a “milk mustache” with the caption: “Drink Whole Milk.”
Historical Context
The Obama-era restrictions, enacted more than a dozen years ago, represented an attempt to address rising childhood obesity rates. Research showed that changes following the 2012 law did slow obesity increases among American children, including teenagers.
Critics of the previous policy argued that many children disliked the taste of lower-fat milk, leading to reduced consumption and increased food waste. They contended that whole milk provides essential nutrients in a form children will actually drink.
Industry Response
The dairy industry has long advocated for returning whole and 2% milk to school menus. Industry representatives argue that milk fat has been unfairly vilified and that full-fat dairy products provide important nutritional benefits for growing children.
The new law requires schools to offer students a range of fluid milk options, giving local districts flexibility to meet student preferences while maintaining nutritional standards.
Looking Ahead
The Trump administration’s new dietary guidelines emphasize protein and healthy fats while reducing focus on limiting saturated fats. “We are ending the war on saturated fats,” Kennedy declared, adding, “Today our government declares war on added sugar.”
Federal officials will need to translate the new dietary guidelines into specific requirements for schools, potentially eliminating flavored milk varieties that contain added sugars while expanding access to whole milk options.
Key Takeaways
- Whole and 2% milk return to schools after 13-year ban
- 30 million students will have expanded milk choices
- Parents can now request nondairy alternatives without doctor approval
- New federal dietary guidelines support full-fat dairy consumption
- Implementation may vary by district based on local preferences and supply chains
