Waukesha Times

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) celebrated the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which aims to provide students with greater milk choices in their school cafeteria.

Fitzgerald expressed his satisfaction with the legislation, stating, "This whole milk legislation was a win all around for Wisconsinites, particularly for our farmers and students. Outdated government definitions have long vilified whole milk as an unhealthy drink option for students, when the reality is that milk has 13 essential nutrients that are critical for proper development. I was pleased to see this legislation passed and I look forward to putting whole milk back in our school cafeterias."

The passage of this act comes after several recent studies that have examined the effect of higher fat milk consumption on childhood obesity. These studies concluded that dietary guidelines recommending reduced-fat milk versions might not effectively lower the risk of childhood obesity. In fact, higher consumption of full-fat dairy has been shown to be associated with a lower risk of total body fat mass in children and increases satiety in students.

By passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, Congress is acknowledging the importance of providing students with a variety of milk options that can contribute to their overall health and well-being. This legislation not only supports dairy farmers in Wisconsin but also recognizes that whole milk is a valuable source of essential nutrients for children.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is a step towards reevaluating and updating outdated government definitions that have unfairly labeled whole milk as unhealthy. By reintroducing whole milk into school cafeterias, students will have the opportunity to make informed choices and benefit from the 13 essential nutrients it provides.

With the passage of this act, the focus shifts towards implementing the necessary changes to ensure that whole milk becomes readily available in school cafeterias across the country. This legislation represents a victory for the dairy industry, for the health of our children, and for the overall well-being of our nation's students.

To learn more, click on this link: https://fitzgerald.house.gov/media/press-releases/fitzgerald-votes-pass-whole-milk-healthy-kids-act