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Senate advances bill on food, beverage, nutrition standards in schools
Author: Amy Lambiaso February 14, 2006 - A push to restrict the type of food and drink allowed in public schools is headed Wednesday for debate in the Senate, where the Democratic leadership is backing a proposal described as a compromise with the food and beverage industry. In an attempt to address the growing problem of childhood obesity, the Senate plan sets guidelines for what drinks can be sold in different grade levels of public schools, establishes guidelines for the amount of calories allowed per portion size for students, and bans the advertising of junk foods on school buses. The guidelines would be set annually by the state Department of Public Health, public school food service directors would need to meet new certification requirements, and the departments of Public Health and Education would be required to review and analyze trends in eating disorders and obesity, under the bill. School districts would be required to comply with the guidelines, supporters of the bill said Tuesday. The bill does not include any penalties for non-compliance. Senate President Robert Travaglini characterized the initiative as a “continuation of the health care debate” and part of a strategy to reduce the development of diabetes, asthma, and depression, all of which have been tied to obesity. A similar bill, sponsored by Rep. Peter Koutoujian (D-Waltham) is currently pending in the House. Koutoujian said he will push for his own bill to be taken up by the House, and said it remains a priority. “Many parts are identical,” he said. Moore said his revised plan, which was given initial approval in the Senate today, is an effort to engage parents and schools in a nutritional education process, ensure that vending machines – which help pay for school activities – remain in schools, and establish standards for food service directors in schools. School officials say districts receive between $50,000 and $60,000 from vending machines a year. “We’re not trying to put anybody out of work,” Moore said. The Senate plan has the backing of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), whose president said today that the issue is being discussed at the national level. It is also the topic of a lawsuit challenging the availability of sugary and fatty foods and drinks in schools. Maurice Hancock, president of the association, said Brockton has a policy in place that promotes more nutritional foods. Moore’s bill would only apply to food sold during school hours, and would not affect concession stand items or other fundraising activities. “This is about health,” said Glenn Koocher, executive director of the MASC. “If a kid can go across the street and buy a Coke and bring it into the cafeteria at lunchtime or after school, and you’re telling the kids they just can’t buy it in school, that says something about what the purpose of what some of the regs are. We’re very happy that the real compromises have been made. That’s extremely reasonable.” Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey declined to speculate about whether the administration would support the initiative, saying she wanted to review the bill before commenting. “They never even had vending machines in schools when I was there, it’s a new world for me,” Healey said. “I don’t know how widely available sodas are in school.” Healey said her two children “occasionally” drink soda, but added: “I think they should drink milk at school, or water.” Under the Senate bill, soda would be banned from elementary schools only; some cola-flavored waters and diet sodas would be allowed in middle schools and high schools. If school districts vote to allow soda to be sold in high schools, no more than 50 percent of the beverage selection can be sweetened and non-sweetened carbonated beverages. Travaglini said the revised Senate plan was developed after discussions with the industry, and said he has been “pleased” with the food and beverage industry’s response. “They are not fighting it,” he said. Officials from the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which has in the past voiced opposition to the bill, could not be reached for comment today. |