The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, delivering final congressional approval for legislation that will restore whole and 2% milk to America’s school cafeterias for the first time in more than a decade. 

The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump, which will cap a historic, years-long effort by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), dairy food companies, dairy farmers, partners, school nutrition leaders, physicians and nutritionists, and parents across the country to restore access to the nutritious milk options children overwhelmingly prefer. 

“The long wait is over! Whole milk is coming back to schools!” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. “Today’s House passage marks a defining victory for children’s health and for the dairy community that has fought for more than a decade to restore whole and 2% milk for our nation’s students. We ask for the President to sign the bill into law so the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can begin working with state governments and school districts across the country to make this law a reality. Our nation’s dairy farmers and processors are ready to work alongside USDA to restore whole milk to every American school.”

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act requires schools to provide students with a variety of fluid milk options, which can now include flavored and unflavored organic or conventional whole, 2%, 1%, skim and lactose-free milk. The bill exempts milk fat from consideration of schools’ allowable saturated fat content requirements per meal, which will help school nutrition directors include whole and 2% milk options in their meal planning. It also allows parents to request that schools provide a lactose-free milk or nutritionally equivalent non-dairy option for their child.

“This bill makes it easier for schools and parents to offer the nutritious milk options that children prefer and consume at home, whether those be whole fat, lower fat, or lactose-free,” said Dykes. “IDFA encourages school nutrition directors to plan to incorporate these options into their offerings for students as early as next school year.”

Since whole and 2% milk were banned from school meal menus more than a decade ago, school milk consumption and meal participation have declined, meaning children are consuming fewer essential nutrients. This is especially concerning considering underconsumption of milk and dairy products is prevalent among school-aged children, where between 68% and 94% of school-age boys and girls are failing to meet recommended levels of dairy intake per federal guidelines, stated IDFA.

“It’s hard to overstate the significance of congressional passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, not only because it represents major progress in improving the nourishment of American schoolkids, but also because of what it says about how persistent, long-term effort can still bring bipartisan success in Congress," said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “Since 2012, when federal nutrition rules took whole and 2% milk out of school meals programs, dairy farmers and their cooperatives have pointed out the flaws in that decision, which wasn’t aligned with consumer choice. What was true then became even more true in years to come, as newer research consistently showed the value of milk at all fat levels and consumers moved even further toward fuller-fat varieties in their purchases."

“Common sense has prevailed with Congress and the Senate recognizing the importance of giving kids access to more complete nutrient-rich and delicious beverage options that support growth and overall health,” added Dennis Rodenbaugh, DFA’s President and CEO. “This legislation is a win for children’s health and for America’s dairy farm families who work tirelessly to produce wholesome, high-quality and delicious milk. We’re proud to see whole milk back on school menus, where it belongs.”