USDA Proposes Rules for Healthier Snacks in Schools
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is out with proposed rules to make your kids’ schools healthier.
If the Obama administration has its way, vending machines once full of candy, soda and greasy chips would only stock water, diet soda and baked chips. Lunchrooms serving fried mozzarella sticks and nachos would have to move to healthier options.
“Providing healthy options throughout school cafeterias, vending machines and snack bars will complement the gains made with the new, healthy standards for school breakfast and lunch so the healthy choice is the easy choice for our kids,” USDA Secretary Tom Visack said Friday in a news release.
The new USDA rules follow a law Congress passed in 2010, aimed at combating childhood obesity.
Allowing for “flexibility for important traditions,” the agency says it will exempt in-school fundraisers, back sales and anything sold after school.
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