Dozens of US racial and food activists recently accused the federal government of ‘dietary racism’ in its programme for free or reduced-price school lunches, claiming that the USDA is forcing millions of non-white lactose intolerant kids to drink cow’s milk. In a letter to the USDA’s Equity Commission, organisations have claimed that the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is unequal and socially unfair. The letter further stated that black, Native American, Asian, and Latino youngsters are being punished for their ethnicity and ancestry, as reported by The Hill.

In 100,000 schools across the US, the NSLP offers free or reduced lunches to nearly 30 million children. According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, over half of them are white; activist groups claim that non-white children are disproportionately dependent on these meals. Additionally, they claimed that non-white children are more likely to be lactose intolerant.

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The organisations asserted that a signed doctor’s certificate may be necessary to provide a non-diary substitute and that the NSLP only reimburses schools if they give cow’s milk. However, the NSLP requirements are quite explicit that a non-diary can only be used with written authorisation from the kid’s parent or guardian. Alternatives to cow’s milk must meet USDA nutritional guidelines. Providing water is a mandated practise in the NSLP programme.

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However, the protesters claimed that the government is pressuring the kids to consume cow’s milk.

The activist groups said that the posters on display are empty rhetoric because injustices are daily inflicted on millions of children unless the non-white children are properly provided for by the NSLP programme.

(With inputs from agencies)

Dozens of US racial and food activists recently accused the federal government of ‘dietary racism’ in its programme for free or reduced-price school lunches, claiming that the USDA is forcing millions of non-white lactose intolerant kids to drink cow’s milk.

Dozens of US racial and food activists recently accused the federal government of ‘dietary racism’ in its programme for free or reduced-price school lunches, claiming that the USDA is forcing millions of non-white lactose intolerant kids to drink cow’s milk. In a letter to the USDA’s Equity Commission, organisations have claimed that the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is unequal and socially unfair. The letter further stated that black, Native American, Asian, and Latino youngsters are being punished for their ethnicity and ancestry, as reported by The Hill. In 100,000 schools across the US, the NSLP offers free or reduced lunches to nearly 30 million children. According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, over half of them are white; activist groups claim that non-white children are disproportionately dependent on these meals. Additionally, they claimed that non-white children are more likely to be lactose intolerant. Also read | Citing racism, WHO says monkeypox will be renamed The organisations asserted that a signed doctor’s certificate may be necessary to provide a non-diary substitute and that the NSLP only reimburses schools if they give cow’s milk. However, the NSLP requirements are quite explicit that a non-diary can only be used with written authorisation from the kid’s parent or guardian. Alternatives to cow’s milk must meet USDA nutritional guidelines. Providing water is a mandated practise in the NSLP programme. Also read | Are children at risk from Elon Musk's self-driving technology? Group claims software will 'mow' kids down However, the protesters claimed that the government is pressuring the kids to consume cow’s milk. The activist groups said that the posters on display are empty rhetoric because injustices are daily inflicted on millions of children unless the non-white children are properly provided for by the NSLP programme. (With inputs from agencies)

US food activists accuse federal government of ‘dietary racism’

Iraq's trade ministry released a statement on Saturday that the country has only 190,000 tonnes of rice available in its coffers for its food rationing programme.&nbsp;

To support the programme, Iraq's trade ministry needs around 1-1.25 million tonnes of rice per year.&nbsp;

In March, the ministry asked for money from state's budget to build a stockpile of rice and wheat that will supply for at least three months as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the country.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Iraq's trade ministry pleaded for more funds by saying that allocations were crucial despite problems in the budget. Iraq's budget has been affected because many of its citizens are "struggling to provide their daily food due to tough economic conditions amid the coronavirus crisis".

The middle eastern country has been a major buyer of wheat and rice, was under a political gridlock after former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was ousted by nationwide anti-corruption protests, hampering efforts to get a state budget approved before the start of the calendar year.

Iraq's grain board, which comes under the trade ministry, holds regular international tenders to import wheat and rice for the rationing programme, which also covers cooking oil, flour and sugar.

(Inputs from Agency)

Iraq's trade ministry released a statement on Saturday that the country has only 190,000 tonnes of rice available in its coffers for its food rationing programme.

Iraq's trade ministry released a statement on Saturday that the country has only 190,000 tonnes of rice available in its coffers for its food rationing programme. To support the programme, Iraq's trade ministry needs around 1-1.25 million tonnes of rice per year. In March, the ministry asked for money from state's budget to build a stockpile of rice and wheat that will supply for at least three months as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the country. On Saturday, Iraq's trade ministry pleaded for more funds by saying that allocations were crucial despite problems in the budget. Iraq's budget has been affected because many of its citizens are "struggling to provide their daily food due to tough economic conditions amid the coronavirus crisis". The middle eastern country has been a major buyer of wheat and rice, was under a political gridlock after former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was ousted by nationwide anti-corruption protests, hampering efforts to get a state budget approved before the start of the calendar year. Iraq's grain board, which comes under the trade ministry, holds regular international tenders to import wheat and rice for the rationing programme, which also covers cooking oil, flour and sugar. (Inputs from Agency)

Only 190,000 tonnes of rice left in the country for food programme: Iraq's trade ministry

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