This is a heads up to the DK community of a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that came out this morning in the Federal Register to address nutrition standards for school breakfasts and lunches.
The proposed rule can be found here:
http://www.gpo.gov/...
COMMENTS DUE: April 9, 2013
The proposed rule sets forth standards covering fat, sodium and nutrition content of foods provided in school lunch programs.
The rule addresses, for example, a 0 trans fat requirement, something very good in my opinion for school meals provided to our children.
Here is a FR summary of the rule:
SUMMARY: This rule proposes to amend the National School Lunch Program
and School Breakfast Program regulations consistent with amendments
made in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). The HHFKA
requires that the Secretary promulgate proposed regulations to
establish nutrition standards for foods sold in schools other than
those foods provided under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) and
the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA). The HHFKA
amends the CNA, requiring that such standards shall be consistent with
the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans and that the Secretary
shall consider authoritative scientific recommendations for nutrition
standards; existing school nutrition standards, including voluntary
standards for beverages and snack foods; current State and local
standards; the practical application of the nutrition standards; and
special exemptions for infrequent school-sponsored fundraisers (other
than fundraising through vending machines, school stores, snack bars, a
la carte sales and any other exclusions determined by the Secretary).
The HHFKA also amended the NSLA to require that schools participating
in the National School Lunch Program make potable water available to
children at no charge in the place where lunches are served during the
meal service. These proposed changes are intended to improve the health
and well-being of the Nation's children, increase consumption of
healthful foods during the school day and create an environment that
reinforces the development of healthy eating habits.
The narrative states:
Total fat must be <=35% of calories; saturated fat must be
<10% of calories;
For total sugar levels the proposal includes two
alternatives: one is <=35% of calories and the other is <=35% of
weight. Exemptions are provided for fruits and vegetables packed in
juice or extra-light syrup and for certain yogurts.
Snack items have a limit on calories of <=200 calories per
portion. Non- NSLP/SBP entr[eacute]e items have a calorie limit of
<=350 calories.
My non-dietician impression of these requirements is that they are not too
ambitious, but I would like to hear opinions from others on what they think
of the requirements.
My personal opinion is that we're never going to solve climate problems, the
poor state of U.S. health and other serious problems until we figure out a way
to get Americans to change their food habits, and schools are good places to start
in this needed activity.