A bipartisan bill sponsored on Sept. 8 by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) would enable participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program who are over the age of two to receive 2 percent reduced fat or whole milk.
“Whole milk has been wrongfully targeted as unhealthy for the last decade, but in reality, it provides a wealth of essential nutrients that are particularly important for growing children,” Rep. Thompson said. “Including whole milk in the WIC program will provide a healthy option for those families who find themselves depending upon these benefits for essential nutrition.”
Rep. Thompson introduced the Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk Into the Lives of Kids Act, or the GIVE MILK Act, H.R. 5383, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA).
The bill aims to make it easier for expectant mothers and mothers of young children to access milk for their families, providing infants, children, and mothers the nutrients they need during key developmental stages, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Currently, WIC restricts milk choices to nonfat or 1 percent in most cases, the summary says.
“As a parent, I know that whole milk provides many of the essential vitamins and minerals that kids need for their early development. But for far too long, the WIC program has been blocked from providing moms with a full selection of milk,” said Rep. Spanberger. “That’s why I’m working to cut this unnecessary red tape and make more milk options available.”
H.R. 5383 has garnered support from the National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association.