Nutritional standards for school meals

(a) All breakfast, lunch, after-school snacks and suppers, and summer meals served to students in public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools or by organizations participating in the Afterschool Meal Program or the Summer Food Service Program shall meet or exceed the federal nutritional standards set forth in: (1) The Child Nutrition Act of 1996, approved October 11, 1996 (80 Stat. 885; 42 U.S.C. § 1771 et seq.); (2) The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, approved June 4, 1946 (60 Stat. 230; 42 U.S.C. § 1751 et seq.); (3) 7 C.F.R. Parts 210, 215, 220, 225, and 226; and (4) Other applicable federal law. (b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, breakfast, lunch, after-school snacks and suppers, and summer meals served to students in public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools or by organizations participating in the Afterschool Meal Program or the Summer Food Service Program shall meet or exceed: (1) The following nutritional requirements per serving: (A) Saturated fat: Fewer than 10% of total calories; (B) Trans fat: Zero grams; and (C)(i) Sodium: (I) For breakfast meals: (aa) Less than 430 milligrams for Grades Kindergarten through 5; (bb) Less than 470 milligrams for Grades 6 through 8; and (cc) Less than 500 milligrams for Grades 9 through 12; and (II) For lunch meals: (aa) Less than 640 milligrams for Grades Kindergarten through 5; (bb) Less than 710 milligrams for Grades 6 through 8; and (cc) Less than 740 milligrams for Grades 9 through 12. (ii) The requirements of this subparagraph shall not apply until July 1, 2022; provided, that public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools shall gradually reduce the amount of sodium served in school meals; and (2) The serving requirements of the United State Department of Agriculture’s HealthierUS School Challenge program at the Gold Award Level for vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, and other foods served in school meals, as may be revised from time to time, notwithstanding any termination of the program. (c) The Office of the State Superintendent of Education may adopt standards that exceed the requirements of this section.