(AP) – The government for the first time is proposing broad new standards to make sure all foods sold in schools are healthful. The rule announced Thursday will apply to “a la carte” lines in school cafeterias, vending machines, snack bars and any other food sold regularly on campus.
It won’t apply to fundraisers, after-school concession stands, class parties or foods brought from home.
A separate set of rules already applies to free and low-cost meals in the main lunch line that are subsidized by the federal government.
Under the new rules, most food sold in school will now be subject to fat, calorie, sugar and sodium limits. Snack foods will have to be less than 200 calories and have some nutritional value.
Some examples of what could be in and out under the rules, provided the items meet or don’t meet all of the requirements:
WHAT’S IN
Baked potato chips
Granola bars
Cereal bars
Trail mix
Dried fruits
Fruit cups
Yogurt
Sugarless gum
Whole grain-rich muffins
100 percent juice drinks
Diet soda (high schools)
Flavored water (high schools)
Diet sports drinks (high schools)
Unsweetened or diet iced teas (high schools)
Baked lower-fat french fries
Healthier pizzas with whole grain crust
Lean hamburgers with whole wheat buns
WHAT’S OUT
Candy
Snack cakes
Most cookies
Pretzels
High-calorie sodas
High-calorie sports drinks
Juice drinks that are not 100 percent juice
Most ice cream and ice cream treats
High-fat chips and snacks
Greasy pizza
Deep-fried, high-fat foods