RFK Jr.'s guidance on sweets would change American childhood routines

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced federal dietary guidelines that recommend avoiding added sugar for young children and state that no amount of added sugar is recommended for ages 5–10; HHS described the guidance as recommendations and the Agriculture Department will begin drafting rules for school meal programs.

Federal health officials have released new dietary guidance focused on added sugar for children. The guidance, announced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, advises avoiding added sugar for children 4 and under and states that no amount of added sugar is recommended for ages 5 through 10. HHS has described the guidance as recommendations rather than binding rules. The Agriculture Department plans to start drafting rules to align school meal programs with the new guidance. Key points: - Health and Agriculture secretaries announced guidelines that recommend avoiding added sugar for young children and state that no added sugar is recommended for ages 5–10. - HHS characterized the guidance as recommendations for Americans rather than immediate regulatory mandates. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin the process of drafting rules to align school meal programs with the guidance; timing and final details are not yet specified. Summary: The announcement presents a federal recommendation to limit or avoid added sugar in young children’s diets and is being issued as guidance rather than an immediate regulation. The next procedural step is for the Department of Agriculture to draft rules for school meal programs to reflect the guidance, with timing and final rule details undetermined at this time.