CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN’S BIPARTISAN “WHOLE MILK FOR HEALTHY KIDS ACT” PASSES HOUSE, ADVANCES TO PRESIDENT’S DESK TO BECOME LAW

Congressman Pat Ryan’s Bipartisan “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act” Passes House, Advances to President’s Desk to Become Law 

Legislation reverses more than a decade of flawed federal policy keeping healthy, nutrient-rich whole milk out of schools

The bill, which Ryan has cosponsored since he first got to Congress, will allow flavored and unflavored whole milk to be offered in school cafeterias, providing essential nutrients to kids and supporting American dairy farmers 

WASHINGTON, DC  –  This week, the "Whole Milk for Health Kids Act," which Congressman Pat Ryan has co-sponsored since his first term in Congress, passed the House of Representatives. The bill passed through the Senate earlier this month and now goes to the President’s desk.

“The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act takes on America’s growing food and nutrition-insecurity issues with school-aged children by expanding students’ access to the most popular, nutrient-rich types of milk in their school lunches,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “I’ve been a proud cosponsor ever since I got to Congress, and am excited to help it pass the House. This bill is a win-win – it supports New York’s hardworking dairy farmers and helps promote healthy, balanced meals for American kids. I’ll keep pushing for the President to sign this landmark bill into law – for our kids, for our farmers, and for our future.”

Schools participating in the United States Department of Agriculture’s school meals program have been advised against serving whole milk since 2012. The 2020-2025 DGAs reports kids aged 2-18 are largely missing their dairy intake recommendations, with upwards of 75% of all school-aged children missing their recommended levels of dairy. Updated scientific and medical research indicates higher fat milk consumption by children is associated with lower childhood obesity and other positive health outcomes.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act received overwhelmingly bipartisan support in the 118th Congress with 134 cosponsors in the House and 330 votes on the House floor.

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