Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue mixed humor, keen political rhetoric and “a fiercely unapologetic tone” as he explained why he ordered a slow down in USDA school food rules in one of his first decisions in office, says the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Perdue defended the decision during a speech to the School Nutrition Association, which represents school food directors.
“Asked Wednesday what the decision says about his leadership style at the department, Perdue was succinct: “I hope it says that we listened,'” said the Journal-Constitution. Perdue went to a school in Leesburg, Va., to announce that schools will not have to use more whole grains and less salt in their meals unless they want to, and they could sell 1 percent flavored milk if they want. The decision delayed the arrival of new salt and whole grain standards that are part of the 2010 child nutrition bill, a hallmark of the Obama era.
“When you look at the obesity epidemic that we’ve got out there, that’s not happening at schools. It’s happening at home and on the road to and from school,” Perdue said when asked if the slowdown in school-meal rules would abet the obesity epidemic among children. The Journal-Constitution said the American Heart Association said the delays could lead to higher blood pressure among school students and a greater risk of stroke and heart disease.