There is tremendous progress underway toward improving schools foods. Yet, some food companies, school food service organizations, and Members of Congress are trying to roll back these improvements, including around fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and salt. For example they’re trying to undermine consumer confidence in the science around the need for sodium reduction.
Experts have recommended eating less sodium since at least 1977. A new analysis by the American Heart Association confirms that the evidence is strong to recommend lowering sodium to moderate levels beginning in childhood to reduce blood pressure and future risk of heart disease, which still is by far the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Nine out of ten kids eat too much sodium. Getting kids to eat healthier at a younger age is particularly important. Taste preference for sodium is learned and shaped by exposure; limiting salt in school foods can decrease children's preference for salty foods. The updated nutrition standards for school meals will reduce sodium by up to 50% by 2022.
Over 95% of school districts have already reached the first goal for reducing sodium in school lunches. Many food service companies have developed delicious products that meet the next sodium targets for schools. The latest example is Revolution Foods, which has been serving up tasty school pizzas with less salt and more whole grains to thousands of kids across the country. They even go beyond the current sodium targets and meet levels that schools don't need to reach until 2022.
Why would Congress roll back sodium reduction levels when schools and food companies are making such good progress in making healthier, tastier school foods?
We need your help to stop them. Congress must reauthorize child nutrition programs by the end of the month, and that is where they plan to roll back school nutrition. Please ask your members of Congress to protect the progress on school meals today.
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