March 26, 2007
Report on School Food Delayed Again

After two days of a tightly closed meeting, a committee of the Institute of Medicine that is charged with setting nutrition standards for food served in schools postponed the release date for a final report to April or May of this year. That's the third time the report has been postponed, possibly reflecting controversy over its recommendations, which involve industries that sell alternative foods to schools as well as school nutritionists and administrators. Not known at this time is whether the report will challenge standards set by the Department of Agriculture for the federally subsidized school lunch and breakfast programs, though the report is expected to make recommendations concerning soft drinks and other minimally nutritious foods offered in vending machines in schools. Progress of the report can be tracked at www.iom.edu.