Trump administration relaxing Obama-era school lunch standards

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-relaxing-obama-era-school-lunch-standards/story?id=47134641

By MARIAM KHAN
STEPHANIE EBBS
May 1, 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is easing school lunch regulations spearheaded by the Obama administration.

Newly minted Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue unveiled a new interim rule on Monday to suspend sodium reduction requirements and whole-grain requirements as well as allow 1 percent fat flavored milk back into school cafeterias nationwide.

The new rules will take effect during the 2017-2018 school year.

"I wouldn't be as big as I am today without chocolate milk," Perdue said in his remarks to reporters.

Critics say the new rules will roll back the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act championed by Former First Lady Michelle Obama, who worked to establish strict nutritional standards on the program as part of her campaign against obesity.

"We're not winding back any standards at all," Perdue said. "We are just slowing down the process."

"I applaud former First Lady Michelle Obama for addressing those obesity problems in the past," he said.

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