The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new school nutrition standards, the first of their kind in over a decade. The standards are designed to reduce added sugars and sodium in school meals, in an effort to promote healthier eating habits among students.

The new rules seek to limit added sugars to no more than 10% of calories in school meals. This is the first time the USDA has set such a limit. Sodium levels will also be reduced by 20% over the next 5 years, with a goal of meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The rules also address the issue of flavored milk, which has been a source of controversy in the past. The USDA has decided to allow flavored milk to remain in school meals, but with reduced sugar levels.

The changes are part of the USDA’s effort to ensure that school meals meet the nutritional needs of students. The agency has also announced grants to help schools with the transition to healthier meals.

The new standards have been welcomed by health experts, who believe they will help reduce childhood obesity and promote healthy eating habits.

“These standards are a step in the right direction,” said Dr. Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “We hope that this will lead to healthier meals for students and a healthier future for our children.”

With the new standards in place, the USDA is hoping to create a healthier future for America’s students.