EDITORIAL
Soda ban becomes law
(SF Chronicle)
Monday, October 13, 2003
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ALMOST UNNOTICED amid the recall fever of the past few weeks was Gov. Gray Davis' decision to sign landmark legislation that will ban the sale of sugar-filled sodas in elementary, middle and junior high schools throughout California.
We strongly supported the bill, titled the California Childhood Obesity Prevention Act, as it overcame hurdle after hurdle in the state Legislature. In the final vote in the Assembly, it passed without a single vote to spare. Although supported by virtually every leading health organization in the state, the bill had to overcome tough opposition from a slew of soda industry lobbyists, as well as unfounded fears among some legislators that schools which rely on income from soda sales would suffer.
To our disappointment, these pressures succeeded in watering down the bill, authored by a determined Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento. High schools have been exempted from the ban -- even though that is where the majority of soda sales take place.
Nonetheless, the law will still be the toughest of its kind in the nation when it goes into effect next July. K-9 public schools will be barred from selling soda during school hours. However, sales will still be permitted outside school hours at fundraisers and other events.
Only water, milk, 100 percent fruit juices, or fruit-based drinks with no less than 50 percent fruit juices and that have no added sweeteners will be permitted. As New York City schools have discovered in its recent $30 million contract with Snapple, beverage makers will be only too happy to come up with drinks that meet the requirements of the law.
The Legislature's action sends a powerful message that schools should not be promoting or endorsing unhealthy eating habits, but instead should be helping children make sound nutritional choices.
This is where Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger comes in. As someone who has been fixated on physical fitness, and made children a top priority in his campaign, he should work to expand the soda law to include high schools as well.
A ban on the sale of drinks with empty calories and caffeine would be entirely consistent with Schwarzenegger's health-nut image as well as his well- articulated desire to improve the learning atmosphere in California's classroom.
He'll also have an opportunity to put into practice his oft-declared disdain for "special interests." If the soda interest doesn't quality as a special interest, we don't know what does.
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What You Can Do:
Call principals at your local elementary, middle or junior high school to find out if carbonated sodas are sold there. If they are, obtain a copy of SB677, which can be found at www.leginfo.ca.gov.
what u think? ill post my opinions later
Soda ban becomes law
(SF Chronicle)
Monday, October 13, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALMOST UNNOTICED amid the recall fever of the past few weeks was Gov. Gray Davis' decision to sign landmark legislation that will ban the sale of sugar-filled sodas in elementary, middle and junior high schools throughout California.
We strongly supported the bill, titled the California Childhood Obesity Prevention Act, as it overcame hurdle after hurdle in the state Legislature. In the final vote in the Assembly, it passed without a single vote to spare. Although supported by virtually every leading health organization in the state, the bill had to overcome tough opposition from a slew of soda industry lobbyists, as well as unfounded fears among some legislators that schools which rely on income from soda sales would suffer.
To our disappointment, these pressures succeeded in watering down the bill, authored by a determined Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento. High schools have been exempted from the ban -- even though that is where the majority of soda sales take place.
Nonetheless, the law will still be the toughest of its kind in the nation when it goes into effect next July. K-9 public schools will be barred from selling soda during school hours. However, sales will still be permitted outside school hours at fundraisers and other events.
Only water, milk, 100 percent fruit juices, or fruit-based drinks with no less than 50 percent fruit juices and that have no added sweeteners will be permitted. As New York City schools have discovered in its recent $30 million contract with Snapple, beverage makers will be only too happy to come up with drinks that meet the requirements of the law.
The Legislature's action sends a powerful message that schools should not be promoting or endorsing unhealthy eating habits, but instead should be helping children make sound nutritional choices.
This is where Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger comes in. As someone who has been fixated on physical fitness, and made children a top priority in his campaign, he should work to expand the soda law to include high schools as well.
A ban on the sale of drinks with empty calories and caffeine would be entirely consistent with Schwarzenegger's health-nut image as well as his well- articulated desire to improve the learning atmosphere in California's classroom.
He'll also have an opportunity to put into practice his oft-declared disdain for "special interests." If the soda interest doesn't quality as a special interest, we don't know what does.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What You Can Do:
Call principals at your local elementary, middle or junior high school to find out if carbonated sodas are sold there. If they are, obtain a copy of SB677, which can be found at www.leginfo.ca.gov.
what u think? ill post my opinions later
