June 21, 2024 — For years, Americans have been told that cow’s milk is a crucial component of a healthy diet, particularly for children. However, nutrition experts are increasingly questioning whether milk deserves its mandated place on school lunch trays across the nation.
To qualify for federal reimbursement, schools are required to offer milk at every breakfast and lunch service, with some schools even mandating that all children take it. Other beverages, such as water, cannot be offered in a way that competes with milk and cannot substitute for it in a reimbursable meal.
Experts argue that these policies are problematic for several reasons. Many people of color and a significant number of white individuals are lactose intolerant, experiencing adverse effects from dairy consumption. Furthermore, mandating milk leads to substantial food waste, with nearly half of it ending up discarded. Dairy milk production also has a higher carbon footprint compared to non-dairy alternatives like soy or almond milk. Additionally, the nutritional benefits of milk may have been exaggerated.
Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition, has stated that milk is optional for those maintaining a healthy diet and that it is unnecessary for most adults and adolescents to consume the recommended three daily servings of dairy.
In a May 31 Vox article, Erica Kenney, an assistant professor of public health nutrition, echoed this research, advocating that milk should always be optional in school meals. She emphasized that while calcium is essential for healthy bones, it can be sourced from alternatives such as nuts, tofu, and dark leafy greens. Additionally, bone health can be improved through other means like reducing alcohol consumption and engaging in regular exercise.
Read the Vox article: Big Milk has taken over American schools
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