Did the Reagan-era USDA Really Classify Ketchup as a Vegetable?
Context and Background
The phrase "ketchup is a vegetable" arose during discussions of President Reagan's policies, specifically related to school lunches.
Food classification impacts federal programs like the subsidized school lunch program.
In 1981, after Reagan took office, Congress cut $1 billion from child nutrition funding.
The USDA was tasked with creating new standards within 90 days to help schools economize without compromising nutrition.
USDA's Proposal
A panel of nutritionists and food service directors was convened to discuss changes.
Considered counting ketchup as a fruit/vegetable ingredient.
Motivation was not just cost-cutting but also practicality since children often refused vegetables, leading to waste.
Other potential substitutions included:
Pickle relish and other condiments as vegetables.
Tofu or cottage cheese as protein sources replacing meat.
Corn chips, pretzels replacing bread.
Portion sizes were suggested to be reduced to minimize waste.
Public and Political Reaction
Mid-level USDA officials viewed this as state flexibility, but it seemed like food reduction for children.
The 90-day limit bypassed higher level review.
New rules proposed in September 1981 met with significant backlash:
Food activists and Democratic politicians criticized the rules.
Photo ops with skimpy meals depicting new standards were staged.
The proposal was withdrawn amid protests; the USDA official in charge was reassigned.
Subsequent Developments
Agriculture Secretary John Block defended the rules but was widely criticized.
Later, a more sensible policy called "offer vs. serve" was adopted, allowing students to refuse parts of their meal.
The Clinton administration later proposed counting salsa as a vegetable, accepted due to its nutritional content.
Modern Context
Recently, a judge approved USDA regulations classifying batter-coated french fries as fresh vegetables, linked to bankruptcy settlements rather than nutrition directly.
Conclusion
The "ketchup as a vegetable" story reflects both a bureaucratic misstep and a political symbol of the Reagan administration's challenges in school lunch policy.