Young students could soon be without chocolate- and strawberry-flavored milks as an option at school cafeterias, if a federal proposal is approved, and some Pennsylvania officials are cautioning against the potential change.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently proposed banning flavored milk as a cafeteria option for elementary and middle school students. Only high school students would have access to flavored milk under the proposal. The USDA said it was made in an effort to fight childhood obesity by reducing “exposure to added sugars and would promote the more nutrient-dense choice of unflavored milk for young children when their tastes are being formed.”

The USDA rule would be a reversal of a Trump-era move that brought flavored milk back to schools. In 2018, an interim rule was established to return flavored 1% milk to schools, after they were barred under the Obama administration.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is wary of the proposed USDA rule change and said in a statement flavored and unflavored milk should remain part of students’ meals.

“Milk is important for children’s development, and allowing flavored milk helps increase consumption,” reads the statement. “The Commonwealth remains committed to ensuring all students have access to healthy, nutritious food.”

At least one local school district leader also cautioned against the proposal. Penn Hills School District superintendent Nancy Hines said districts need to focus on lowering student obesity rates, but is unsure that removing flavored milk will have much of an impact.

“I certainly understand the concerns regarding health and childhood obesity; however, I am not sure the small amount of milk consumed during the school day will have a significant effect on either or both,” Hines said. “To make a larger impact on children’s health, we must continue reinforcing better food and beverage choices via our school curriculum and continue providing time in the school day for physical activity.”

The PA Dairymen’s Association, a statewide group that supports the state’s dairy farms, condemned the proposal and said that chocolate milk is nutritious and full of essential vitamins for children.

PA Dairymen’s Association director Dave Smith said many young students will only drink milk when it is flavored, and removing it could backfire.

“Why should we or the government tell them they can’t drink nutrient-enriched chocolate or strawberry milk anymore, especially at school?” he said in a statement. “(This) will push them toward more sugary drinks like soda and empty calories outside of school.”

Some health experts have disputed this reasoning, and said lowering children’s sugar consumption in flavored milk is important. Harvard University nutrition professor Erica Lauren told Fox News this month that “it makes a lot of sense to try to limit the servings of these flavored milks because they do have quite a lot of added sugar.”

If accepted, the rule will likely go into effect for the 2025-26 school year.

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