But these standards should encourage consumption of nutritious dairy products and also be practical for schools to implement and proven to work for schools, students and parents.
- Extend the period of time for comments in order to allow sufficient time for manufacturers, distributors, schools, and parents to be heard.
- Adopt the sugar by weight option (C2) option, not the sugar by calories (C1) option, because:
b) The C1 option penalizes foods that contain their own natural sugars, such as lactose, which naturally occur in dairy foods and low-fat frozen dairy products.
c) The C1 option would prevent manufacturers from selling quality ice cream products. They would have to reformulate products with bulking agents to increase calories while keeping sugar content the same. This is not in the best nutritional interest of children as it adds nutritionally void calories.
d) The C2 option has been successfully implemented in school systems. The C1 option (recently recommended by the Institute of Medicine) is an untested standard.
e) The C2 option allows for schools to use these foods to fund everything from copiers to the school lunch program itself, and has been proven financially. Implementation of the C1 standard will have a significant negative financial impact on the school systems.
3. Allow vitamin and nutrient fortification of foods because:
a) Adding vitamins and nutrients to foods should be encouraged not discouraged.
b) Federal law (CRF 120.10(b)) requires manufacturers to supplement many foods with vitamins and other nutrients in order to preserve their standard of identity. Not allowing vitamin fortification would require manufacturers to violate federal law in order to continue selling these products in the schools.
c) These nutrients cannot be distinguished as “added” on the label, so it is impossible to enforce. This is the reason USDA does not distinguish between naturally occurring vs. “added” sugar in its restrictions. Therefore it should use the same standard for all nutrients.
EVERYONE reading this blog can help make sure students are given the option to be able to enjoy a delicious and nutritious ice cream snack while on the school campus.Please contact USDA using the following link, and cutting and pasting some of the comments above or writing your own. USDA is soliciting comments from the industry and the public until April 9, 2013.
Thank you very much to IDFA and Rich Ice Cream Company for reviewing the content of today’s blog and approving its dissemination to the industry. Please take action by contacting USDA. Please forward this blog to others and ask them to take action, too. We can make a difference!