October 20, 2009 Recommendations to Revise School Meal Standards Released by IOM The Institute of Medicine (IOM) released their recommendations today for new nutrition standards to make school meals more healthful in the report, School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children. Regulations for school nutrition standards and meal requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have not been changed since 1995.  The USDA asked an IOM committee to assist in updating these regulations and making them more consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Recommendations include the Food and Nutrition Service of USDA adopting the Nutrient Targets as the scientific basis for setting standards for menu planning for school meals; adopting standards for menu planning that increase the amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; and working together with state agencies, professional organizations, and industry, to provide extensive support to enable food service operators to adapt to the many changes required by revised Meal Requirements.  The committee also recommends that USDA, other federal departments, and foundations fund research studies on topics related to the implementation of the new meal requirements, children’s acceptance of and participation in school meals, and children’s health. See also: School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children USDA: School Meals Guidance & Resources CHHCS: School Health Links – Nutrition

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