With the goal of ensuring that healthier foods and beverages are available for sale in schools across the country, Senators Harkin and Murkowski finalized a bill to update nutrition standards. When enacted, these new nutrition standards would apply to all foods and beverages sold in vending machines, school stores, and cafeterias. Based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, foods and beverages would have to meet certain calorie, fat, sugar and salt restrictions. "These updated school nutrition standards are supported by many large food companies and by the public health community and could potentially result in many more fresh fruits and vegetables being available for sale in schools," said Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, vice president, nutrition and health. "This bill may be included as an amendment in the Farm Bill or as stand alone legislation next year. One way or the other, there is tremendous interest in ensuring that food available in schools is healthier." If the bill passes, the standards would go into effect July 1, 2011. For more information, contact Lorelei DiSogra.