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President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law on Wednesday (January 13), allowing whole and two-percent milk to return to school cafeterias. This bipartisan legislation reverses the Obama-era restrictions that limited school meal programs to fat-free or low-fat milk options. The new law, which passed Congress unanimously in late 2025, aims to provide more flexibility in school meal programs and support the dairy industry.
The law permits schools to offer a range of milk options, including flavored and unflavored organic or conventional whole, two-percent, one-percent, skim, and lactose-free milk. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the move, calling it "a long-overdue correction to school nutrition policy." Trump emphasized that the change would help American dairy farmers by expanding market access for their products.
According to PBS NewsHour, the law also allows nondairy milk alternatives if they meet nutritional standards. Schools must offer these alternatives if a child provides a note from their parents indicating a dietary restriction.
Farm organizations and dairy industry leaders have applauded the legislation. Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, stated, "The commonsense, bipartisan bill ensures children will have access to important vitamins, protein, and other nutrients while supporting dairy farmers." Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, expressed readiness to assist schools in implementing the new options.
The new milk options could be available in schools as soon as the next school year. The law aligns with the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which emphasize full-fat dairy as part of a healthy diet. However, some nutrition experts remain cautious, citing research that shows the previous restrictions helped slow the rise in obesity among U.S. children.