In an effort the help prevent childhood obesity from continually growing, the USDA is seeking to rid school vending machines of junk food such as chips and candy bars in exchange for more healthy options like fruits and vegetables. The proposed rule, Smart Snacks, requires schools to uphold nutritional standards consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. If passed, the law would go into effect at least a full school year after final approval, allowing schools to acclimate to the new changes.
Under the proposed rule, food sold in schools must:
- Either be a fruit, vegetable, dairy product, protein food, a whole-grain product or a combination food that contains at least one quarter cup of fruit or vegetable; or
- Contain 10% of the daily value of a nutrient cited as a public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: calcium, potassium, vitamin D or fiber; and
- Must meet a range of calorie and nutrient requirements.