Running head: PUBLIC POLICY ASSIGNMENT

Public Policy Assignment

FACS 330, Community Nutrition

Wednesday, April 21st, 2020

Candace Martell

Dr. Kimberlin

Certification of Authorship: I certify that I am the author of this paper and that any assistance I
received in its preparation is fully acknowledged and disclosed in the paper. I have also cited
any sources from which I used data, ideas, or words, either quoted directly or paraphrased. I also
certify that this paper was prepared by me specifically for the purpose of this assignment.

Signature(s): Candace Martell ONU ID No. 1821596

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Child nutrition programs are of significant interest to the Academy of Nutrition and

Dietetics (AND). Therefore, a proposal by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), under the United

States Department of Agriculture (USDA), issued a rule that became effective February 11 th,

2019, that allows school cafeterias to become more flexible with menus that meet Dietary

Reference Intakes (DRI), but at a minimal level (Kogan, 2019). The billing code is 2017-25799

(Federal Register, 2018). While the Academy has not opposed, the American Heart Association

and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners have opposed because children

were already not meeting evidence-based dietary standards prior to this rule (Kogan, 2019). The

rule focuses on providing flavored low-fat milk, fewer whole grains, and higher sodium foods,

although the target is to gradually decrease sodium over a 10-year period (Federal Register,

2018). Additionally, the professional organizations that opposed this rule stated that flavored

milk options could lead to nutritional issues of increased sugar, calories, and saturated fat

overtime, and that the acceptance of unflavored fat-free milk is already high for children, thus

there is not a need to re-introduce flavored milk (Federal Register, 2018). However, the

Academy found that providing more flexibility, specifically for milk, has been shown to not

exceed caloric intake. Despite not opposing, the Academy still suggest ways in which the USDA

can implement smarter menu options and encourage the increase of whole grains and reduction

in sodium as they relate to blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke (Blankenship,

2018). Overall, if the flexibility does not weaken nutritional targets, the Academy is not in

opposition.

Contradictory to the Academy, my stance on this rule is in opposition. While it is

beneficial to have more variety in menu selection for the school cafeterias, children consume

most of their caloric intake at school during the breakfast and lunch hours. Therefore, these
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meals need to be as nutritious as they possibly can and exceeding the DRI values for children

would allow far less children to be left without adequate nutrition if they cannot access proper

and safe meals at home.

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April 21st, 2020

Sen. Dick Durbin

525 S. 8th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
p: 217.492.4062
f: 217.492.4382

Dear Senator Dick Durbin:

I am writing to urge you to reconsider the rule #2017-25799 of which I oppose in relation to
sodium, whole grains, and milk. As you may be aware, over 50% of children consume their
meals at school. Our children need to have access to nutritious foods that meet the evidence-
based standards at more than a minimal level. Obesity, blood pressure, and cardiovascular
disease as well as other health conditions are paramount nutritional concerns in correspondence
to the food options available to these children.

I am highly distressed that the gradual decrease of sodium overtime will have adverse effects that
may lead to a stroke, coronary heart disease, kidney failure, gastric cancer, and osteoporosis in
our children. Furthermore, children already consume 2,500 mg to 4,200 mg and the Dietary
Reference Intake (DRI) is 1,900 mg to 2,300 mg.

I am also concerned with fewer whole grain intakes of children as it is an essential source of
fiber and nutrients. While the USDA has amplified the implementation of this food category, I
fear that reducing the intake, although still meeting the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) value,
may offset the progress made within schools.

Additionally, allowing flavored low-fat milk options is beneficial in that it adds to the flexibility
of selection and regards children’s preferences. However, if studies indicate that unflavored milk
is not wasted among children, then it is not necessary to re-introduce flavored milk after
tremendous efforts have been made to eliminate this product.

Given the potential to make a difference in the lives of millions of children, your opposition of
this rule is critical. I look forward to receiving your reply addressing this important issue. Please
contact Tina Namian at 703-305-2590 for further information. Thank you for your prompt
attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Candace Martell

***Statistics and information for this letter was from Blankenship (2018).
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References

Blakenship, J. (29 January 2018). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Academy comments to

USDA re child nutrition programs: Flexibilities for milk, whole grains, and sodium

requirements. Retrieved from https://www.eatrightpro.org/news-center/on-the-pulse-of-

public-policy/regulatory-comments/comments-usda-child-nutrition-programs-

flexibilities-milk-whole-grains-sodium-requirements

Federal Register. (2018, December 12). Child nutrition programs: Flexibilities for milk, whole

grains, and sodium requirements. Retrieved from

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/12/2018-26762/child-nutrition-

programs-flexibilities-for-milk-whole-grains-and-sodium-requirements

Kogan, R. (13 March 2019). Rollback of nutrition standards not supported by evidence. Health

Affairs. Retrieved from

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190312.130704/full/