Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 modifies the National School Lunch Program to give schools greater flexibility in the types of milk they offer students. Previously, schools were required to provide only fat-free or low-fat milk. Under this law, schools may now offer whole milk, reduced-fat milk, low-fat milk, and fat-free milk to students, in both flavored and unflavored varieties. Schools can choose to provide organic or nonorganic milk options.

The law also makes it easier for students with dietary restrictions to receive milk alternatives. Currently, only a licensed physician can provide a written statement allowing a student with a disability to receive a substitute for fluid milk. This law permits parents or legal guardians to provide that written statement instead, reducing the burden on families who need to accommodate their child's dietary needs.

Additionally, the law changes how schools calculate compliance with federal nutrition standards. Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program must ensure that meals meet certain nutrition requirements, including limits on saturated fat content. Under this law, fluid milk is excluded from saturated fat calculations, meaning the milk fat in any fluid milk provided by the program will not count toward the saturated fat limits that schools must meet.

These changes take effect immediately upon enactment on January 14, 2026, and apply to all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The modifications aim to provide schools with more options while maintaining their participation in the federal nutrition assistance program.