Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon announced today that schools that can demonstrate significant challenges in serving whole-grain-rich pastas can continue serving traditional enriched pasta products for up to two more years.

“Schools raised legitimate concerns that acceptable whole-grain rich pasta products were not available,” Concannon said.

“We worked to find a solution which will allow more time for industry to develop products that will work for schools,” he said. “We continue to listen and work closely with schools and parents to implement common sense nutritional guidance that supports a healthier next generation.”

“But, with one-third of American children fighting obesity, we cannot accept politically motivated efforts to undermine standards and deny kids healthier options,” Concannon said.

School districts that wish to take advantage of this two-year flexibility must obtain approval from their state agency by demonstrating they experienced significant challenges in preparing and serving whole grain-rich pasta products in their schools, USDA said in a news release, emphasizing that the flexibility is temporary.

“Whole-grain-rich pastas made from blends of whole grain and enriched flours maintain better consistency, but these products are still emerging in the marketplace,” USDA said in the news release.

In what may be a reaction to efforts on Capitol Hill to restrict the school meal regulations implemented from the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the department emphasized that today’s announcement follows other flexibilities USDA has implemented based on feedback from schools regarding legitimate challenges in implementing updated school nutrition standards.

Earlier this year, USDA made permanent additional flexibility around the portion sizes for grains and meats/meat alternates.

The department has also provided flexibility by phasing in the standards gradually over time rather than requiring immediate compliance.