teach1st
08-17-2005, 05:10 AM
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002442903_soda17m.html
OLYMPIA — The American Beverage Association recommended yesterday that soda and other sweetened beverages be pulled from vending machines at elementary schools across the country, saying the industry needs to help fight the increasing rate of childhood obesity.
ABA President and CEO Susan Neely was to announce the organization's new policy recommendation today at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Seattle.
"Childhood obesity is a real problem," Neely said. "The individual companies have been doing several things to be part of the solution and there was an agreement among all of our leadership that we needed to take another step and take it as an industry."
Neely argues soft drinks aren't inherently bad, and are fine for physically active children who eat a balanced diet. But she wants parents to have the assurance that their children aren't drinking an excessive amount of sweetened drinks at school.
Several Washington school districts, including Seattle, Everett and Stanwood-Camano, have banned sales of soft drinks and junk food. State law requires all school districts to have reviewed their nutrition and physical-fitness policies by Aug. 1.
The association's board voted unanimously yesterday to work with school districts to ensure that vending machines stock only bottled water and 100 percent juice in elementary schools.
Read more (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002442903_soda17m.html)
OLYMPIA — The American Beverage Association recommended yesterday that soda and other sweetened beverages be pulled from vending machines at elementary schools across the country, saying the industry needs to help fight the increasing rate of childhood obesity.
ABA President and CEO Susan Neely was to announce the organization's new policy recommendation today at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Seattle.
"Childhood obesity is a real problem," Neely said. "The individual companies have been doing several things to be part of the solution and there was an agreement among all of our leadership that we needed to take another step and take it as an industry."
Neely argues soft drinks aren't inherently bad, and are fine for physically active children who eat a balanced diet. But she wants parents to have the assurance that their children aren't drinking an excessive amount of sweetened drinks at school.
Several Washington school districts, including Seattle, Everett and Stanwood-Camano, have banned sales of soft drinks and junk food. State law requires all school districts to have reviewed their nutrition and physical-fitness policies by Aug. 1.
The association's board voted unanimously yesterday to work with school districts to ensure that vending machines stock only bottled water and 100 percent juice in elementary schools.
Read more (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002442903_soda17m.html)