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USDA Proposes New Standards For Marketing Of Foods In Schools

Schools should take note of how food is marketed to children on campus, according to new guidelines for school wellness policies proposed by the Department of Agriculture and First Lady Michelle Obama.

The guidelines are the latest step in a process that began four years ago under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Schools are being asked to consider not only what's being served in their lunchrooms, but also the range of food made available to students through vending machines or sold in student-run "stores."

Sarah Martin, the dietician for the Highline School District, says the district's vending machine food as well as items sold a la carte in the cafeteria will be getting overhauled.

"Our homemade breadsticks are a little bit too high in fat, so we'll have to reformulate the recipe. And our egg roll is too high in sodium, so we'll have to find a new product," Martin said.

School districts have been implementing new wellness policies that meet physical activity as well as nutritional goals. The proposed guidelines, including the food marketing rules, would help districts adhere to the Smart Snacks in School standards, which were outlined in the 2010 act.