Senate
committee clears ban on school sales of junk
food
Tuesday, May 24, 2005 • The
Star-Ledger
Public elementary and middle schools
would be prohibited from selling soda and junk food under a
package of measures approved yesterday by a Senate panel
taking aim at a growing epidemic of childhood
obesity.
The bills seek to restrict the amount of
sugar, fat and salt that children consume, at least during
the school day.
"The most effective way to prevent
obesity in our children is to teach them the right way to
eat," said Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-Burlington), a
physician who co-sponsored a similar measure in the
Assembly.
Similar proposals have been introduced in
at least 17 states this year, according to the national
Conference of State Legislatures. Policies are on the books
in a few states, including California and Arkansas, while a
proposal in Connecticut would extend the ban to high
schools.
The New Jersey legislation would prohibit
public school vending machines from stocking any item that
lists sugar as its first ingredient, or anything that has
more than 8 grams of total fat, except nuts and seeds. The
ban would be in effect until 30 minutes after schools close
for the day.
The measures also require that vending
machines in high schools be stocked with at least one
healthy snack. Home-baked goods sold at fund-raisers would
be exempt from the restrictions.
The New Jersey Education Association, the
state's largest teachers union, has lobbied for the
legislation.
© 2005 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with
permission.
|