Acceptability and consumption of chocolate milk versus low fat and whole milk at elementary schools

Abstract

In accordance with the US Department of Agriculture, National School Lunch Act, school lunches are designed and required to provide one third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for school children. In partial fulfillment of this requirement, the lunch must offer (to those children 5 years and above) a half pint of milk. Milk is offered to students as whole unflavored, low fat unflavored and low-fat (1%) chocolate milk. Several studies have shown that chocolate-flavored milk is significantly more acceptable to children than unflavored low fat milk. In the first phase of this study unflavored whole and low-fat milk was offered to students in two elementary schools. In the second phase of the study, whole unflavored milk, low-fat unflavored milk and low-fat chocolate-flavored milk were offered to students. Data on the amount of milk purchased, returned and wasted was collected. Each phase of the study lasted for five consecutive days. Consumption was determined by comparing total cartons of milk sold minus total cartons returned unopened to total milk wasted. Without the option of flavored milk, low-fat unflavored milk is chosen three times more often than whole-unflavored milk. With the introduction of flavored milk, the 1% chocolate flavored milk is chosen by a 4 to 1 ratio over unflavored low-fat and whole combined. There was an overall increase in milk consumption of 27.6% (2.2 ounces) with the introduction of 1% chocolate flavored milk. With the added option of 1% low-fat chocolate milk, overall consumption of unflavored whole and low-fat as well as 1% chocolate milk increased.