Experts criticized the new rules of school food in America
'07.12.2017'
Source: NBC
The US Department of Agriculture recently published new rules for school cafeterias, according to which it is now allowed to re-give children salty foods, as well as sweetened milk, writes NBC News.
Health professionals spoke out negatively about these changes, believing that returning to unhealthy standards would not make children eat better. The permit gives schools the ability to use 1% flavored milk, and states will also allow exemptions for schools that have problems with eating whole grains. According to the new rule, schools will also "get a temporary break until 2021 to purchase and introduce foods with a lower salt content, as well as give students more opportunity to adapt to such a menu."
Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, estimates that over the past 5 years, almost 100% of schools participating in Michelle Obama's Healthy Eating Program have adopted new standards for healthier school meals. Children across the country have clearly benefited from these changes, the expert says. “Their food was less salt, sugar, saturated fat, 16% more vegetables and 23% more fruit. Why give up great progress? ”Brown asks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested how the new regulations worked in 2015. More than 97% of schools offered a selection of whole grains for breakfast and 94% for lunch in 2014. Almost 80% suggested 2 or more types of vegetables and fruits for lunch, although only more than half of them switched from salty canned vegetables to low sodium options. “The new changes do not reflect the tremendous progress and successes we have seen in schools across the country,” health experts said in a statement.
