Whole milk and higher-fat dairy options are set to make a significant comeback in school cafeterias across the United States. This follows President Donald Trump's signing of a new bill that directly reverses limits established during the Obama administration.
A New Chapter for School Nutrition
President Trump put his signature on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act during a White House ceremony on Wednesday 14 January 2026. The event was attended by lawmakers, dairy farmers, and their children. "Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, whole milk is a great thing," Trump stated, marking a decisive policy shift.
The new legislation permits schools that take part in the federal National School Lunch Program to serve whole milk and 2% fat milk. These options had been restricted since 2012 under rules championed by former First Lady Michelle Obama's Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which aimed to combat childhood obesity by reducing saturated fat and calorie intake.
Broader Choices and Updated Guidelines
The law introduces several key changes beyond just whole milk. It also allows for nondairy milk alternatives, like fortified soy milk, provided they meet specific nutritional standards. Furthermore, schools must now offer a nondairy alternative if a student presents a note from a parent citing a dietary restriction, not just a doctor's note as previously required.
This policy reversal arrives shortly after the publication of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which now endorse full-fat dairy products as part of a healthy diet. This is a notable departure from previous editions that advised low-fat or fat-free dairy for most consumers over the age of two.
The US Department of Agriculture underscored the change with a social media post featuring President Trump sporting a "milk mustache" and the message: "Drink Whole Milk."
Impact and Ongoing Debate
The shift in policy is substantial, affecting meals served to nearly 30 million schoolchildren nationwide. Officials like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have hailed it as "a long-overdue correction to school nutrition policy."
Nutritional experts remain divided. Some, like Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University, argue there is "no meaningful benefit" in choosing low-fat over high-fat dairy, noting that saturated fats in dairy have a different composition and may not be linked to adverse health outcomes. Critics of the old rules also pointed to food waste, as many children reportedly disliked the taste of lower-fat milk and refused to drink it.
However, research conducted after the Obama-era law was enacted showed it helped slow the rise in obesity rates among American children. Proponents of the older rules caution against reversing these gains.
Schools will now be required to offer a range of milk options, including flavoured and unflavoured organic or conventional whole, 2%, 1%, and lactose-free milk. The new dietary guidelines' call for "full-fat dairy with no added sugars" may, however, lead to the elimination of sugary flavoured milks in future updates.
While the change could technically take effect by autumn 2026, school nutrition and dairy industry officials note it may take longer for some districts to assess demand and adjust their supply chains accordingly.
