Walk down any grocery store aisle, and it’s clear: food packaging works hard to convince shoppers that what they’re buying is “healthy.” Buzzwords like “natural,” “whole grain,” and “low-fat” are plastered across boxes and bottles, pushing the narrative that these foods are smart, nutritious choices—especially for kids. But school nutrition policies tell a different story.
Across the United States, many items branded as health foods are banned from school cafeterias and vending machines, raising eyebrows among parents who once considered these staples safe. So, why are these so-called “healthy” foods off-limits where health should matter most?
