By Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall opened a Senate committee hearing by throwing back a glass of milk to emphasize the value in altering U.S. Department of Agriculture directives so alternatives to low-fat milk could be served to school children.
“If you could just spare me a moment here, I’ve got to clear my throat a little bit,” said Marshall, while pouring milk from a small carton into a glass and gulping most of it down. “There, I can speak better now.”
Marshall, a Kansas Republican with a pre-politics career as a physician, said members of Congress often had personal reasons for seeking federal office. Marshall said he arrived in Washington, D.C., with a 10-point priority list.
“Save the world. Save Medicare. Save Medicaid. Balance the budget. And, get whole milk back in schools,” he said.
Marshall, a self-described milk lover with fond memories of consuming farm-fresh milk in Kansas, reveled Tuesday at the opportunity to repeat his December 2023 milk-drinking performance for the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing on legislation rolling back USDA restrictions on school milk options.
Marshall said whole milk, which contained 3.25% fat, and reduced-fat 2% milk should be presented to children in schools along with the low-fat 1% milk and fat-free skim milk.
In 201o, Congress directed the USDA to ban whole and 2% milk in schools by modifying dietary guidelines to limit options to skim or low-fat cartons.
Supporters of USDA policy implemented in 2012 contended whole or 2% milk was higher in saturated fat and contributed to elevated cholesterol levels or increased risk of heart disease. One cup of whole milk could contain 4.5 grams of saturated fat, which covered a substantial portion of recommended daily intake for school-aged children. In addition, skeptics of whole milk said the intake of saturated fat could contribute to rising levels of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children.
Eve Stoody, director of nutrition guidance and analysis division at USDA, said federal dietary guidelines recommended plain whole milk for infants under 2 years of age before transitioning to lower-fat milk options.
“There’s a bit of an evidence gap as to exactly when that transition to lower fat options might be most beneficial, but there’s definitely benefits of plain whole milk, particularly in young children, to supporting brain development,” Stoody said.
She said it was “very concerning” consumption of fluid milk began to decline in the early 2000s and current consumption in adolescence was about half a cup lower per day than it was two decades ago. Increasing milk consumption among U.S. youth would be a positive development, she said, and the best path would be through lower-fat options.
“Dairy is a healthy choice,” Stoody said, “but it really matters what you’re eating with that dairy. For those who eat a healthy diet, for those who are active … whole milk can be a great option.”
She said a federal dietary review panel recommended policy on milk consumption in schools remain unchanged for 2025-2030. The final standard would be determined by USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Robert Kennedy Jr., secretary of HHS, said dietary guidelines requiring lower-fat milk varieties in schools were antiquated. He’s also encouraged “full fat/whole milk” to be offered in Head Start programs for the nation’s youngest children.
The milk legislation endorsed by Marshall, which has earned bipartisan support, is pending in the House and Senate.
Marshall said current federal standards undermined opportunities for children to take part in a “whole-foods” movement by consuming healthy fat necessary to absorbing vitamins A, D, E and K. The senator said whole milk contained omega-three fatty acids, which supported brain health and inflammation control.
He said the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act should be viewed as a plank of the “Make American Healthy Again movement.” It would echo President Donald Trump’s strategy of marketing reform under the Make America Great Again brand.
In the past, Marshall described milk as the “most delicious, most nutritious wholesome drink known to humankind.” He recalled milk from his grandfather’s Holstein dairy herd was delivered to his home when growing up in Kansas.
“I don’t know that I’m aware of any good studies either proving my point, but certainly it seems to me that whole milk tastes a whole lot better,” he said.
