Obama Administration Releases New Rules for School Snacks

Greasy chips out; trail mix in

The Agriculture Department proposed new nutritional rules Friday that would apply to most snack foods sold in schools. Current standards already regulate the nutritional content of school breakfasts and lunches, but food sold through in other ways outside the lunchroom has never before been federally regulated. The new rule would apply to “a la carte” lines in school cafeterias, vending machines, snack bars and any other food sold regularly on campus. It wouldn’t apply to fundraisers, after-school concession stands, class parties or foods brought from home. Almost every food would be subject to fat, calorie, sugar and sodium limits, and snacks would have to be under 200 calories. Out are candy, snack cakes, pretzels, chips, nachos, mozzarella sitcks and most ice cream; in are granola bars, trail mix, yogurt and whole grain muffins. (Salon)

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