The USDA regulates the school lunch program and recommends two to three servings of dairy daily. Milk is offered with every meal and often contains bovine growth hormone (BGH), which has been linked to causing girls to menstruate earlier and an increase in growth hormone levels in humans. The higher hormone levels have been linked to increases in prostate and breast cancer and signs of puberty in girls as young as 3, according to indyweek.com. There are no regulations that signify the milk must be free of the hormone.
School lunches contribute to obesity because they are often composed of highly processed foods filled with preservatives and sodium. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 12 percent of high school students were obese, and nearly one in three children are overweight. At times, french fries or ketchup are counted as the vegetable in a meal instead of any real ones filled with vitamins and minerals.
School lunches are not tailored to cater to children who have sensitivities to common foods or allergies. Kids might be lactose intolerant, allergic to peanuts, vegetarian or have a sensitivity to gluten. Many times, meal options do not comply with these sensitivities, and there are no alternatives provided besides packing a lunch, which many lower-income families are not able to do.
Schools do not provide organic options for school lunches. According to Dr. Alan Greene, children are more at risk to to experience health or developmental damage from chemically enhanced foods instead of organic. Organic foods including dairy, fruits and vegetables are healthier options for children.