Bipartisan Effort to Introduce Non-Dairy Milk in US Schools

In a rare show of bipartisan cooperation, US senators have introduced a bill to amend the National School Lunch Act to facilitate the availability of plant-based milk in schools, aiming to accommodate lactose-intolerant and other diet-restricted students.

Senator John Fetterman is leading this initiative with support from other key figures like Cory Booker and John Kennedy.

The proposed FISCAL Act intends to update existing milk provisions, creating a more inclusive environment for students' diverse dietary needs.

According to lawmakers, current policies neglect the needs of millions of children of color who are disproportionately affected by lactose intolerance, with rates reaching up to 95 percent among Native Americans and 90 percent for Asian Americans.

Additionally, around 30% of milk cartons are reportedly wasted annually, accounting for $400M in tax dollar losses.

By advocating for nutritionally equivalent plant-based alternatives, the bill aims to reduce food waste while addressing children's nutritional needs.

This legislative push arises amid efforts to combat food insecurity and climate change priorities in the US, amid a backdrop of changing dietary standards and lobbying interests from the dairy industry.