Congress of the United States ‘Wastfington, BE 20515 September 6, 2019 “The Honorable Bill de Blasio Mayor ‘The City of New York “Tweed Courthouse 52.Chanbers Steet ‘New York, NY 10007 Dear Mayor de Blasi: ‘We waite to share our concern with the potential elimination of flavored milk in New York City schools. (Over two-thirds of milk served in school is flavored, which represents an essential way that kids get the nutriens they need for healthy growth and development. Research finds that children who drink flavored milk consume more nutrients of concern like calcium, vitamin D, and potassium compared 10 ‘non-flavored milk drinkers." Further, leading health groups lke the American Academy of Pediatrics’, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the School Nutrition Association, znd the American Heart ‘Association® also acknowledge the important role that flavored milk plays in ensuring kids get the three ‘cups of milk and milk products recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. ‘Studies have shown that educing or eliminating the availability of avored milk in schools hs led to ‘overall decreased milk consumption and increased food waste. In facta stucy of Oregon schools by CComell found total daily milk soles declined by 9.9% when flavored milk was removed from the cafeteria and was associated with 6.8% fewer students eating lunch When flavored milk was returned to the Los Angeles Unified School District aftr a five-year ban, there was a78% reduction in milk wasteTn addition, there was an increase in the mmiber of school lunches served, Studies have also "ary Murphy, uth Douglass, Rachel K Johnson, Lisa A.Spence, “Drinking favored or plain mks posvely _esoclted with nutrient intake ands not artocated wth adverse effects on weight status in US children and adolescents” Journal ofthe American Dietetic Assocation 108, no. 4 (Ap 2008): 63-638, di: 101016) oéa.2008.01.08, 5 Natalie. th, Willan . Dit, heels N. Mage, Rachel K. Johnson, Amerian Academy of Pests, “Publi Poies to Reduce ugar Ocnk Cnsumption In Chidren and Adolescents,” Peiatris 163, no. Ap 2019}: do: 10.1542/peds2019- nna, > cindy Fitch, Kathryn S. Keim, “Poston ofthe Acadeny of Nutrition and Dstt: use of utrtve nd nonnative sweeteners" oural ofthe Academy of triton ond Dietetics, 112, no 5 (May 2012) 73558, do 30:2016/ and 2012.03.08, “Rachel kJatneon, Lawrence J Appel, Michael rand, Barbara V, Howard, Micha! Lefevre, Robert Lust, Frank Sacks, Lyn stete, tan Wyjll-Roset, Dietary sugrs intake ana carlovascuar nel a Scent statement tor the ‘American Heat Association” Cculton 120, 0.1 (August 203) 1011-1020, do: 20761/ORCULATIONAHA 208:192627 unk, Andre et Al Chocolate Milk Consequences: A Plot Sty Evaluating the Consequences of fanning Chocolate Mikin SehoolCafeterias. los| One. 204. ie oun ls osone/artle?ids101371foural pone, 0091022. “os Angels Unified Seal District LA Unies Seeks o Reduce Waste via llot Programs Aiesing Mik Waste, 2016 ges fMome ved net/aps/news/aréle 525848,shown that flavored milk consumption is not associated with weight gain or even a higher total daily sugar intake in children.” Further, most flavored milks contain less sugar than the cap recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Enginecting, and Medicine (NASEM)."® Specifically, NASEM recommends that flavored milk hhave no more than 22 grams of total sugar per eight-ounce serving, Lactose isthe source of roughly 12 grams of sugar in milk, and as of August 2016, the Milk Processor Education Program estimated the average amount of added sugar in flavored milk to be roughly 7.5 prams, fora total ef less than 20 rams of sugar, ‘As Members representing both rural and urban communities, we are committed to supporting the dairy farmers, producers, and agriculture partners across New York, while also ensuring thit children in NYC. schools have access to citcal, life-enhancing nutrients. Unfortunatly, for many NYC families, the ‘meals children receive in schools ae their only source of many recommended nutrients, “Members of Congress from New York and across the country support expanded access to flavored milk in schocl, The bipartisan School Milk Nutrition Act (H.R. 3125) and Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (IER. 62) would both expand flavored silk uptions in school lunchrooms and have received support from members ofthe New York Congressional delegation on both sides ofthe aisle, We strongly urge you to continue offering children the choice of flavored milk each end every day in "New Yark City schools, Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, ‘Anthony Brin Gedeé Meng a Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress * uray, Ri & Bhai, 15.2015). Sacks, Sweetened Beverages, Added Sugars and Schools American Academy of Pears, 135(1088, 578-579, dl 10.1842/peds 2014-3902 "Johnson RK. Fray C, Wars MC, The nutritional consequences of favored enneimgton by echonkaged chien an olescensin the Ustes States. 1A Diet Asoc 2002;1026}852-856 * Murphy MM, Douglass, Johnson RK, Spence LA. riking Navored or lan miki postveyasocated wth nutrient Intake ands not associated with adverse effects on weight statu n US cikran and adolescents, Am Det Asoc 2008;1068):531-538, nse of Medicine. Nutriion Standards for Foods n Schools: Leading the Way Toward Healthier Youth, 207‘Antonio Delgado Cae, nA ‘Member of Congress Kako umber of Cong ‘Sean Patrick Maloney ‘Member of Congress