DENVER—Soda and other sugary soft drinks will no longer be sold in school vending machines and cafeterias under rules approved Wednesday by the Colorado Board of Education.
High school students will still be allowed to buy low-calorie sport drinks at their schools, but not diet soda.
“If they’re allowed diet soda, kids get in the habit of drinking soda,” board member Evie Hudak said.
The rules take effect July 1, or when a school district completes its contract with a distributor.
The unanimous board vote followed testimony by parents and medical experts who said only healthy choices should be available in schools.
“When all the bad choices are available at school, it undercuts parents’ ability to guide their children through the fast food and drink minefield,” said Phyllis Albritton, an Evergreen parent who is active in the Jefferson County PTA.
Last spring, the state Legislature adopted a bill barring all but healthy beverages in schools, but directed the board to decide which drinks to allow. The bill was intended to reduce childhood obesity.
The board vote permits water, low-fat milk, low-fat flavored milk, milk substitutes approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and juice in elementary and middle schools.
High school students can buy the same items but in larger portions, plus low-calorie sport drinks and other unspecified low-calorie beverages.
Board President Pamela Jo Suckla voted for the rules “under duress.” She said parents should determine what their children drink, but that she voted for the regulations because of the legislative directive.
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Information from: Rocky Mountain News,
