Congress pushes back on healthier school lunches
Earlier this year, the Agriculture Department proposed healthier lunch standards to improve the diet of American children. Unfortunately, Congress has proposed a final version of a spending bill that would block their requests. These include limiting the use of potatoes on the lunch line, putting new restrictions on sodium and boosting the use of whole grains. The bill also would allow tomato paste on pizzas to be counted as a vegetable, as it is now. The USDA had wanted to only count a half-cup of tomato paste or more as a vegetable, and a serving of pizza has less than that. Additionally, the food companies that supply the frozen pizzas, the salt industry, and potato growers had requested the changes and lobbied Congress to do so. Although more expensive, a restricted menu for school lunches would give heather options for young Americans who are becoming more and more obese. This article is important for kids in school and their parents who can help push for healthier lunches at school. Too many children are overweight and obese and the government needs to do the right things to help curtail this trend.
