FCPS to adjust school meals following new federal standards on sugar, sodium limits

Gabrielle Lewis, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
·2 min read

Frederick County Public Schools plans to roll out changes to school meals over the next several years following changes to standards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

At the end of April, the USDA announced several updates that schools will have to start implementing during the 2025-26 academic year.

Some of the most significant updates include:

• Limits on added sugars in school meals, which will start being implemented in Fall 2025 and fully implemented by Fall 2027

• Reductions in school meals’ sodium content, to be fully implemented by Fall 2027

Beginning in Fall 2025, schools must adhere to added sugar limits on cereals, yogurts and flavored milk.

Added sugars are added during the processing of foods and don’t include naturally occurring sugars found in milk, fruits and vegetables, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

By the start of the 2027-28 academic year, there will be overall weekly added sugar limits. Less than 10% of calories in school breakfasts and lunches can be from added sugars.

Additionally, by the 2027-28 year, schools must lower sodium content in their breakfasts by 10% and in their lunches by 15% from current sodium limits.

The USDA has not changed its standards on whole grains. The department mandates at least 80% of weekly grains offered in school meal programs are “whole grain-rich,” meaning a product must have at least 50% whole grains.

In an emailed statement sent to The Frederick News-Post9, FCPS spokesperson Brandon Oland described changes the district will put in place during the next several academic years.

Oland said many of the changes set to take place from the new meal standards are already being done by FCPS.

In the 2024-25 year, FCPS schools will begin offering meat and meat alternatives, grains or a combination of both to meet the minimum ounce equivalent of grain requirement at breakfast.

Oland said the district already has low-sugar cereals, chocolate milk and yogurts that will go into effect in the 2025-26 year. The district doesn’t see compliance issues with its menu in the near future.

During the 2027-28 school year, FCPS will start monitoring weekly sugar, Oland said, and implementing the USDA’s overall weekly added sugar limit.