Dairy food companies are stepping up to make America healthier by announcing a significant commitment that will reshape school meal menus across the nation for 30 million children. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced the IDFA Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment, a voluntary, proactive pledge to eliminate the use of certified artificial colors in milk, cheese and yogurt products sold to K-12 schools for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs by the start of the 2026-2027 school year, or July 2026.

The goal of the commitment is to eliminate the use of Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 in any milk, cheese and/or yogurt products sold to K-12 schools for reimbursable school meals by July 2026.

Today, the vast majority of dairy products sold to schools do not contain any certified artificial colors, as most dairy processors have chosen not to use or decided to remove or replace these ingredients in the past. Moving forward, all companies supporting the Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment have pledged to discontinue products containing certified artificial colors or to reformulate products with natural ingredients, joining the majority of companies that will continue making products for schools without certified artificial colors.

At the same time, dairy companies will continue to reduce added sugar and work with school nutrition professionals, parents and students to educate them about the benefits of milk, cheese and yogurt in healthy diets.

While the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has deemed certified artificial colors safe for use in foods when used in accordance with FDA regulations, the federal government just announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply. At the same time, five states – Arizona, California, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia – have already passed laws banning their use in foods sold to schools, and others are likely to follow suit, signifying a new attitude by states to go beyond federal regulators.

In this evolving policy environment, the Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment will ensure wholesome, nutrient-rich dairy options remain available to students across the country, regardless of changing state regulations, reflecting the dairy industry's longstanding dedication to child nutrition. The commitment does not apply to foods that fall outside of reimbursable school meals.

Important source of nutrients

Children are not receiving enough essential nutrients for growth, development, healthy immune function and overall wellness. In fact, U.S. federal dietary guidelines stress that between 68% and 94% of school-age boys and girls are currently failing to meet recommended levels of dairy intake. Healthy dairy options in school meals offer the most important opportunity of the day for children to get the critical nutrients they need. For years, parents, pediatricians and nutrition professionals have agreed that milk and dairy products must remain key building blocks in school meals. The Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment affirms that promise.

“The Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment goes above and beyond state and federal regulations to help ensure children in grades K-12 continue to have access to the milk, cheese and yogurt options they enjoy without any certified artificial colors,” said Dr. Michael Dykes, IDFA president and chief executive officer. “Dairy products in school meals, including milk, cheese and yogurt, play a critical role in meeting child nutrition requirements by providing 13 essential nutrients students need for healthy growth and development. Milk is the top source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin D in kids ages 2-18. Cheese provides a high-quality source of protein, calcium, phosphorous and vitamin A. Yogurt is a nutrient-dense food that is a good source of protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and phosphorous that may reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes.”

IDFA believes that good nutrition is the foundation of health and wellness for adults and children alike, and dairy is a crucial part of a healthy diet beginning at a very young age. In fact, no other type of food or beverage provides the unique combination of nutrients that dairy contributes to the American diet, including high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D and potassium, and health benefits including better bone health and lower risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“America’s dairy farmers and milk processors have always led the way in providing our families and schoolchildren with healthy, nutritious and delicious milk products,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said. “While I look forward to getting whole milk back into our schools, today’s announcement shows how the dairy industry is voluntarily driving change and giving consumers what they want, without government mandates. I thank IDFA and the dairy industry for leading the way and look forward to other industries thinking about how together, we can Make America Healthy Again.”

IDFA represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, with members ranging from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the U.S. and sold throughout the world.