Summary
This rulemaking proposes long-term school nutrition standards based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, and feedback the U.S. Department of Agriculture received from child nutrition program stakeholders during a robust stakeholder engagement campaign. Notably, this rulemaking proposes new added sugars standards for the school lunch and breakfast programs. It also proposes gradually reducing school meal sodium limits, consistent with research recommending lower sodium intake beginning early in life to reduce children’s risk of chronic disease.
In addition to addressing nutrition standards, this rule proposes measures to strengthen the Buy American provision in the school meal programs. As described below, this rule also addresses long-term milk and whole grain standards; proposes a variety of changes to school meal requirements; addresses proposals from a prior rulemaking; and makes several technical corrections to child nutrition program regulations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects to issue a final rule in time for schools to plan for school year 2024-25.
Comments
The Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, invites interested persons to submit written comments on the provisions of this proposed rule. Comments related to this proposed rule may be submitted in writing by one of the following methods:
- Online (preferred): Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
- Mail: Send comments to School Meals Policy Division, Food and Nutrition Service, P.O. Box 9233, Reston, Virginia, 20195
All written comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. The Food and Nutrition Service will make the written comments publicly available on the Internet via https://www.regulations.gov.
For Further Information Contact
Tina Namian, Director, School Meals Policy Division – 4th floor, Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: 703-305-2590.