School soda, junk food bans approved
By Mitchell Landsberg and Monte Morin, Los Angeles Times
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to sign two bills recently passed by the state legislature that limit the sale of junk food and soda on school campuses. The food bill will only allow sales of foods that get no more than 35 percent of calories from fat, 10 percent of calories from saturated fat, and that are no more than 35 percent sugar by weight. The beverage bill will prohibit the sale of sodas, chocolate milk, and fruit drinks containing less than 50 percent juice. The new rules are considered to be the most stringent in the nation and have been praised by such groups as the American Heart Association and the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. Opposition to the rules has come from food manufacturers, which have argued that the bills "demonize" soft drinks and other foods. The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), a lobbying organization for restaurant and food companies, argues that lack of physical activity is a key factor in childhood obesity. "If they really wanted to tackle this issue, they would renew their commitment to gym class and recess," said Dan Mindus, a senior CCF analyst, "Kids are spending far more time in front of the computer and their X-Boxes than running around. That's the reason we're seeing an increase in obesity. This is an attempt at a quick fix, but it's not going to make a real difference." Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the bills this week.