WASHINGTON, D.C., April 14, 2020 — Yesterday, a federal district court struck down a rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that rolled back nutrition standards in schools.

Last fall, The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health, joined with the American Public Health Association, FoodCorps, MomsRising, and National Education Association —in filing an amicus brief in Center for Science in the Public Interest v. Sonny Purdue, opposing the USDA’s decision to weaken nutrition standards for school meals.

Mark Schoeberl, executive vice president of advocacy for the American Heart Association, released the following statement in response to the court’s ruling.

“The court’s finding that the USDA violated the Administrative Procedure Act during the rulemaking process has the beneficial effect of vacating a rule that significantly weakened school nutrition standards. The USDA’s decision to weaken the standards – despite overwhelming opposition – threatens decades of progress to ensure children receive healthy meals at school. Adhering to science-based sodium and whole grain standards for school meals ensures we are putting our children’s health first. We urge the USDA to embrace the court’s decision and promote science-based nutrition standards that ensure children get healthy, nutritious meals and develop healthy eating habits over their lifetime in all future rulemaking.” 

###  

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.orgFacebookTwitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:
Suniti Sarah Bal – 916-390-1860; suniti.bal@heart.org

For Public Inquiries:

1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org