Article snippet: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is easing school lunch regulations spearheaded by the Obama administration. Newly minted Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue unveiled a new interim rule on Monday to suspend sodium reduction requirements and whole-grain requirements as well as allow 1 percent fat flavored milk back into school cafeterias nationwide. The new rules will take effect during the 2017-2018 school year. "I wouldn't be as big as I am today without chocolate milk," Perdue said in his remarks to reporters. Critics say the new rules will roll back the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act championed by Former First Lady obesity. "We're not winding back any standards at all," Perdue said. "We are just slowing down the process." "I applaud former First Lady Michelle Obama for addressing those obesity problems in the past," he said. Perdue recalled hearing from many students who have complained about fat-free and reduced fat chocolate milk offered in schools. In light of these "palatability issues" Perdue said he decided to make a change. "This is not reducing the nutritional standards whatsoever," he said. The former Georgia governor was joined by Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts at an elementary school in Leesburg, VA. during the lunch hour for the announcement. "Try eating a biscuit made with whole grains," Roberts said. "It just doesn't work!" Just before the remarks, the two sat for a meal with Catoctin Elementary students on long lun... Link to the full article to read more