[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 12, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H6827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EXPANDING MILK OPTIONS FOR SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS

  (Ms. SCHRIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, as a pediatrician, I understand that 
sometimes competing concerns about making sure that children who are 
food insecure get enough good-quality food to eat at school, and at the 
same time making sure those meals do not contribute to our epidemic of 
childhood obesity and its accompanying diseases.
  It was trying to balance those priorities that led to 2012 guidelines 
that prohibited schools from offering 2 percent and whole milk.
  Interestingly, data compiled and analyzed from multiple studies since 
then does not show a correlation between whole milk and increased 
obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease when compared 
with other milks. In fact, some studies show the opposite.
  In addition, milk is packed with nutrients like calcium and vitamin 
D. As a consequence of the drop in milk consumption since these 
restrictions, many children lack sufficient vitamin D and calcium 
intake.
  Vitamin D deficiency is known to adversely affect bone growth and 
bone density. It may also play a role in increasing the risk for 
autoimmune diseases. Many of my patients had very low vitamin D levels.
  While some children will choose water instead of the lowest fat 
milks, many others will choose juice or other sugary drinks which carry 
zero nutritional value and pose known health risks.
  I am proud to have introduced the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act, 
and I encourage my colleagues to vote with me in passing this bill.

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