By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter

To give schools more flexibility in what types of milk they are able to serve students, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) recently reintroduced the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025.

The bill, if passed, would allow schools that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s school meals program to offer whole, reduce fat, low fat and fat-free, flavored or unflavored milk options to students.

“Federal policy, based on flawed, outdated science has kept whole milk out of school cafeterias for more than a decade,” Thompson said. “Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that supplement growth and health, two key factors contributing to academic success. The Whole Milk for Health Kids Act of 2025 provides schools the flexibility they need to offer a variety of options, while supporting students and America’s hard working dairy farmers.”

Currently, schools that participate in USDA’s school meals program are not allowed to offer whole or flavored milk to students.

The rule has been in effect since 2012.

“Because of the taste difference, we lost an entire generation of milk drinkers,” Thompson said. “It really cheated our kids out of all the nutrients the Nutrition Advisory Council says kids need most.”

The change that limited school milk options was based on bad science, according to Thompson.

“In 2019, there was a claim that kids were becoming obese because of drinking whole milk and flavored milk, so they stripped it out of the schools,” Thompson said. “They’ve done numerous studies since, and kids have only gotten bigger. It’s not the whole milk and flavor. In fact, whole milk has been shown to be effective for a whole host of medical conditions, including if you’re on a diet, because it’s satisfying.”

The re-introduction of the legislation in late January was led by Thompson, Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Peter Welch (D-VT), Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA).

“As a pediatrician, I know how important a balanced and nutritious diet is for children’s health, well-being, and development,” Schrier said. “A healthy diet early in life leads to proper physical growth and improved academic performance and can set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. Milk is a significant part of many children’s diets and contains essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. This bill simply gives schools the option of providing the types of milk most kids prefer to drink.”

The bill has garnered 99 co-sponsors in the House so far, including Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) and Congressmen Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX) and John Carter (R-TX).

The legislation is supported by the National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association.

NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said the bill is a critical step toward finally expanding the popular, healthy milk options schools can serve to improve student nutrition.

“The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee reaffirmed in its Scientific Report last December that most kids and adolescents are not meeting daily dairy intake recommendations,” Doud said. “Good nutrition is a cornerstone of children’s health and development, and milk plays an unparalleled role in providing the nutrients kids need to grow and thrive. But kids take more milk, and drink more milk, in school when they have nutrient-dense options they like. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that dairy foods at all fat levels have a neutral or positive effect on health outcomes, ranging from lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes to reduced heart disease risk and healthy cholesterol levels.”

The bill was passed out of the House Committee on Education and Workforce Feb. 12 in a 24-10 vote.

“For far too long, milk has been demonized, denying an entire generation of students access to 13 essential nutrients vital for their health and academic performance,” Thompson said. “I’m glad to see the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act advance through committee and one step closer toward consideration on the House Floor. I look forward to restoring access to this nutritious option for our schools across the country.”