Firms agree to halt soda sales in schools
Initiative seeks to reduce obesity
NEW YORK -- Tens of millions of students will no longer be able to buy nondiet sodas in public schools, under an agreement unveiled today between beverage distributors and anti-obesity advocates.
The distributors, working with a joint initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, also have agreed to sell only water, juice, and low-fat milks to elementary and middle schools, said Jay Carson, a spokesman for former President Clinton.
''Only a coalition of this type can make such a sweeping move affecting so many students at once," Carson said. ''It's a bold and sweeping step that industry and childhood obesity advocates have decided to take together."
Almost 35 million students will be affected by the accord, The Alliance for a Healthier Generation said in a release.
The group, a joint initiative between Clinton's foundation and the American Heart Association, helped broker the deal.
The changes' implementation will depend in part on school districts' willingness to alter contracts, the release said.
The companies will work to implement the changes at 75 percent of the nation's public schools by the 2008-2009 school year, and at all schools in the following school year.
Public health officials have targeted obesity in American children as a major concern. Until now, changes in student diets have been made largely by individual school districts and state and local governments. This agreement, however, will affect all public schools with contracts with the participating distributors.
The agreement applies to beverages sold on school grounds during the regular and extended school day, Carson said. Students involved in after-school activities such as clubs and practice for band and sports teams won't be able to purchase sugary drinks. But sales at events such as school plays, band concerts, and sporting events, where a significant portion of the audience are adults, won't be affected, he said.
Many school districts around the country have begun to replace soda and candy in vending machines with more healthful items, and dozens of states have considered legislation on school nutrition.
The agreement follows a decision in August by the American Beverage Association to adopt a nonbinding policy that would limit soft drinks in high schools to no more than 50 percent of the selections in vending machines.
Most elementary schools are already soda-free.
