Whole grain pasta on hold--for now.

• Position: School Meals - Brief article

New flexibility for school districts working to meet updated whole grain requirements for school meals from the Department of Agriculture have been announced. During the 201314 academic year, the USDA received frustrated feedback from schools that the whole grain rich products currently on the market did not hold together when produced in large quantities. As a result, schools that demonstrate significant challenges in serving whole grain rich pastas can continue serving traditional enriched pasta products for up to two more years, as industry works to develop healthy pasta that works for schools.

"Schools raised legitimate concerns that acceptable whole grain rich pasta products were not available," confirms Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "We worked to find a solution which will allow more time for industry to develop products that will work for schools.

"We...