School snacks would be healthier under new standards NEWS IN
BRIEF — Posted Feb. 18, 2013 The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has
proposed new nutrition standards to ensure that children have
access to healthy food options in school. The plan, Smart Snacks
in School, was issued on Feb. 1. Physicians and other community
members have 60 days to comment on the details by going online
(link). The proposal is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids
Act of 2010, which President Obama signed into law in December
2010. That legislation aims to improve child nutrition in part
by requiring the USDA to establish nutrition standards for all
foods that are sold in schools. Highlights of the recently
proposed plan include: The recommended standards were created
using guidance from the Institute of Medicine and existing
voluntary standards that already are implemented by schools
nationwide, the USDA said. Under the proposed rules, children
still could bring lunches to school and share treats with
classmates for activities such as b