(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has passed a bill that would bypass some federal nutrition guidelines for meals served in Iowa schools by getting a federal waiver to emphasize serving animal-based proteins as well as vegetables and fruits.
Republican Representative Derek Wulf of Hudson says Iowa kids obviously aren't getting healthier, so it's time to do something drastic. He says the bill's also a critical step to promote Iowa agriculture. Representative Austin Baeth (BAYTH), a Democrat from Des Moines, says the guidelines in the bill are not healthier and will make Iowa school kids guinea pigs.
Current federal law prohibits the U-S-D-A from allowing changes in the nutritional content of school meals, but the governor and Republican lawmakers say the Trump Administration may be more flexible in granting waivers to states in a number of areas.