MILWAUKEE — The creators of the “Got Milk?” campaign are getting ready to make a big push to keep chocolate milk on kids’ minds and on school lunch menus, a plan that has some educators and obesity activists none too pleased.
The new ad campaign from the dairy industry, set to launch today, emphasizes that sugary flavorings are ways to get kids to drink milk. Without them, some youngsters won’t drink regular milk and won’t get its nutrients, the ads say. The “Raise your hand for chocolate milk” campaign includes a website that asks people to sign a petition declaring their support for chocolate milk in school.
But some educators and obesity experts say kids get enough calcium — essential for bone growth — and will drink white milk if it’s the only milk offered. They say kids get too much sugar, which is heightening America’s obesity problem, and schools shouldn’t serve chocolate milk at all.
