The American beverage industry is going to voluntarily withdraw sugary sodas from all schools throughout the USA. Fruit drinks, which also have a high sugar content, will be limited. Public high schools that currently have diet drinks, or drinks with less than ten calories per serving on sale, will continue to do so.
A coalition of lawyers who had sued tobacco companies had been voicing eagerness to sue soda companies that sold their sugary drinks in schools.
Public authorities are asking the food industry to limit its advertising of junk food which is targeted at children. They hope a voluntary move will be successful.
Over the last 25 years, obesity has tripled among American teenagers and doubled among younger children.
Elementary and middle schools will only sell unsweetened juices, low-fat milk and water.
Cadbury Schweppes PLC, Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. have all agreed to take high-calorie drinks from school shelves and vending machines.
As school sales of sugary sodas make up a very small part of total sales, the impact on the industry should be negligible, say experts.
Schools will no longer sell whole milk.
The industry says it aims to have this voluntary moved completed in 75% of America’s schools by 2008-2009.
The majority of emails to Medical News Today from Americans express concern about the success of requesting voluntary moves by the food and drinks industry. According to our feedbacks, most American people would like to see compulsory measures.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today