In a significant shift for American school nutrition policy, former President Barack Obama's restrictions on higher-fat milk in schools have been officially overturned. President Donald Trump has signed legislation that will permit whole milk and 2% fat milk to be served in school cafeterias across the United States once again.
Policy Reversal and Legislative Action
The change was enacted through the 'Whole Milk for Healthy Kids' Act, which was debated in the US Senate. This new measure directly reverses rules that have been in place since 2012, which mandated that only skimmed and low-fat dairy products could be offered in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
President Trump put his signature to the legislation on Thursday 15 January 2026, setting the stage for the return of fuller-fat dairy options. The updated policy is expected to be potentially effective as soon as the coming autumn, impacting the daily meals of approximately 30 million students nationwide.
New Dietary Guidelines Drive Change
The policy reversal is not presented as a purely political move but is framed around evolving nutritional science. It follows the release of the updated 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which now advocate for the inclusion of full-fat dairy as part of a healthy diet.
Supporters of the change, a coalition that includes certain nutrition experts and the dairy industry, put forward several key arguments:
- Whole milk is a nutrient-dense food that can contribute to a balanced diet.
- Its consumption may help in efforts to reduce childhood obesity, contrary to previous assumptions.
- Children are more likely to drink milk they enjoy the taste of, which addresses issues of missed nutrition and food waste caused by students rejecting low-fat options.
Implementation and Inclusivity
While reintroducing whole and 2% milk, the new regulations also include a provision for inclusivity. Schools will be required to provide non-dairy alternatives to accommodate students with dietary restrictions, allergies, or personal preferences.
This marks a substantial pivot in the decade-long approach to child nutrition in federal feeding programs. The move has sparked debate, with proponents celebrating a return to choice and updated science, while some public health advocates express caution about saturated fat intake.
The coming months will see school districts across the US adjusting their procurement and menus, preparing to offer a wider range of dairy choices to students for the first time in over a decade.
