“The nation’s largest beverage distributors have agreed to halt nearly all soda sales to public schools, according to a deal announced Wednesday by the William J. Clinton Foundation.
Under the agreement, the companies have agreed to sell only water, unsweetened juice and low-fat milks to elementary and middle schools. The deal follows a wave of regulation by school districts and state legislatures to cut back on student consumption of soda amid reports of rising childhood obesity rates. Soda has been a particular target of those fighting obesity because of its caloric content and popularity among children.”
First the positive. This is a tremendous step in the right direction for reasons that go beyond obesity. Soda’s have no place in lower schools. Everybody knows that, but much like school TV ads, they got there because of money. What dentist would recommend a child under 11 drink soda?
In our house it’s a treat but sometimes I feel like we are a minority. Fortunately there are many parents like me who believe that soda’s should not be the number one drink in a childs life. Unless there is a reason not to, they need MILK! When we were growing up the choices were simple- milk or chocolate milk. Later they added apple juice and orange juice.
This is not a total win. The beverage companies stand to gain a lot by substituting high profit sports drinks for soda’s. In fact on a radio call in today, someone said they implemented the new rules 2 months ago. Her high school child cannot afford the overpriced drinks which are being sold for ‘much more than soda’. Hmmm. You won’t hear any sympathy from me on that one. Schools provide MILK ( that wonderful drink they all need) at reasonable costs and they are required to provide free drinking water (fountains). If a kid can’t afford the other drinks, they should go back to the basics, bring something from home, or get a part time job if they want it that bad.