The Cowlitz County Board of Health elected Kelly Lane as chair and Karen Joyner as vice chair, and Health Officer Steve Craig reviewed newly released federal dietary guidance and reported local exposures linked to a Clark County measles case involving Ridgefield High School; public health staff outlined monitoring and testing steps.

Health Officer Steve Craig briefed the Board of Health on newly released federal dietary guidance emphasizing whole foods, limits on highly processed foods and added sugar for children; he also reported that Cowlitz County residents were identified among those exposed to a Clark County measles case from Ridgefield High School.

Arkansas will restrict SNAP purchases of candy, sodas, energy drinks and certain juices under a waiver; the Department of Human Services says it has partnered with a vendor to provide a mobile app beneficiaries can use at checkout to check item eligibility.

District nutrition contractors told the school board that a USDA memo effective Jan. 14 allows whole milk to be offered in schools, but Pennsylvania guidance and state-mandated menu software have not yet been updated; administrators warned that changing menus mid-audit could jeopardize reimbursements.