“I think the message is very clear: We are using federal funds for these programs and it is imperative that we continue to make food healthier. But due to circumstances beyond our control over the past two years, USDA is willing to be more gradual in strengthening the standards as we move forward,” Wilson said. He said even the fairly slow implementation of stricter sodium standards allows schools to adjust, especially as they have had to rely on packaged foods during the pandemic, which are often higher in salt.
