USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed New Nutrition Standards
in NSLP and SBP

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a proposed rule to update the nutrition standards for meals served through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 13, 2010.

The proposed changes to school meal standards, which would add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat milk to school meals, are based on recommendations released in October 2009 by the National Academies' Institute of Medicine (IOM) and presented in their report, School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children. Schools would also be required to limit the levels of saturated fat, sodium, calories, and trans fats in meals.

USDA is seeking input on the proposed rule from the public through April 13, 2011. Those interested in reviewing the proposal and offering comments are encouraged to do so at www.regulations.gov. To use this site, click on "Search for a Proposed Rule" then enter "National School Lunch Program" in the box labeled "Enter Keyword or ID." Find the proposed rule, entitled "Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs" and click on "submit a comment."

FNS Proposed Rule on Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs