In with the fruits, out with the junk. "Smart Snacks in School" is a new new mission being implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make kids healthier.
Under new federal rules announced Thursday, unhealthy snacks are being replaced by better options at schools. Kids will start seeing less candy, doughnuts and regular potato chips and more granola bars, trail mix and baked chips in their cafeteria, CNN reports.
Under the regulations, limits are being placed on fat, salt and sugar for products in vending machines and in snack bars. The new school foods must contain at least 50 percent whole grains or have fruit, vegetable, dairy or protein as the first ingredient. Products that contain at least a quarter cup of fruit or vegetables are also approved.
Food isn't the only thing being monitored. Beverages will also take a hit. Kids won't have access to sports drinks and beverages with high amounts of sugar, but low-calorie alternatives will be offered. They can also drink low-fat and fat-free milk, 100 percent fruit juice and zero calorie flavored waters.
"Snacks now have to be nutritious. They can't just be fortified junk," Margo Wotton, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, told CNN.
"Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children," USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said according to CNN. "Parents and schools work hard to give our youngsters the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong, and providing healthy options throughout school cafeterias, vending machines, and snack bars will support their great efforts."
Schools have a deadline to complete these changes. They must meet these standards by July 1, 2014, so the rules would be in effect for the 2014-2015 school year.
While schools won't be able to offer unhealthy snacks, kids are still allowed to bring any snack from home and bake sales will still take place.
These new rules are for the children's own good as it is meant to curb obesity in the United States. The issue affects roughly 17 percent of children and teens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
These rules come after the Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 went into effect. It requires the USDA to improve the food served in schools. This act was first applied in 2012 when there was an overhaul of the meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program.
Under this program, school means now have calorie minimums and maximums per meal based on a child's age. Kindergarteners to fifth-graders can only be served lunches with 550 to 650 calories and ninth to 12th graders can have meals with 750 to 850 calories.
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