I generally like CSPI, but their anti-fat crusade is misplaced and
quite silly.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=541&ncid=541&e=3&u=/ap/20040429/
ap_on_he_me/fit_dairy_schools_1

Group Wants Lower Fat Milk in Schools
Thu Apr 29,11:36 AM ET
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By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - An advocacy group that promotes healthy diets called on
the dairy industry to work with Congress to ensure that that less
high-fat milk is offered as part of the school lunch program.

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The Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington accused
the industry of pushing for language in the school lunch program that
will result in schools serving more high-fat milk.

Legislation to reauthorize the program passed the House this year with
language that requires schools to offer milk with "variety of fat
contents."

The CSPI's nutrition policy director, Margo G. Wootan, said Monday
that since only two types of milk are considered low in fat ? fat free
and 1 percent ? schools will likely wind up offering at least one kind
of high-fat milk to go with it to meet the definition of "variety."

The other types of milk are 2 percent and whole milk, both of which
have higher fat contents.

Susan Ruland, a spokeswoman for the International Dairy Foods
Association, challenged that interpretation of the legislation.

"Variety means more than one," she said. "So a school could decide to
offer fat free and 1 percent" and still meet the bill's guidelines.

Wootan said schools won't necessarily read it that way.

"Variety could mean two, three or four," she said. "When they have to
have a variety, it greatly increases the chances that schools will
feel like they have to offer high-fat milk."

CSPI sent a letter Monday, signed by 200 nutritionists and
researchers, urging the International Dairy Foods Association, the
National Milk Producers Federation, and Dairy Management Inc. to work
to allow more lowfat milk products in schools.

"The most important thing to remember from a nutritional point of view
is that limiting milk choices is a recipe for disaster in schools,"
said Jean Ragalie, dietitian with Dairy Management Inc., which
promotes milk consumption. She argued that would lead children0 to
drinking soft drinks with no nutritional value.

A National Milk Producers Federation spokesman, Chris Galen, said he
would let the other dairy groups speak on his group's behalf.

The CSPI also criticized another provision in the bill that would keep
schools from restricting the sale of milk in vending machines.

"Many flavored milks that could be available in school vending
machines or snack lines contain more calories than a 20-ounce soda,
and contain considerably more saturated fat," the nutritionists wrote
in their letter.

But Ruland said that provision was aimed at ensuring that exclusive
contracts with soda companies don't force milk out of vending machines.