United States Schools are doing a national cafeteria menu overhaul to improve child heath and obesity, ridding lunchrooms of junk foods and sugary drinks.
According to Bloomberg News, "Smart Snacks in School" standards released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture today will remove foods like full-fat chocolate cookies, fruit snacks and candy bars offered at lunch and in vending machines. The standards will replace the snacks with healthier foods such as peanuts, light popcorn and fruit cups.
"It's important to teach children healthy eating habits that will affect their health throughout their lives," said Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington consumer advocacy group, who has worked on the issue for more than 15 years. "It doesn't make sense for schools to teach nutrition in the classroom, then counter it by selling sugary drinks and candy bars in vending machines in the hallway."
Elementary and middle school children will have the beverage options of water, milk and juice. High school students' drinks will be limited to 60 calories or fewer in a 12-ounce serving.
According to MPR News, below is a list of a few items that will be available for student's consumption, and what schools will no longer be sell.
Banned Snacks
Candy
Snack cakes
High-calorie sodas
High-calorie sports drinks
Most ice cream and ice cream treats
High-fat chips and snacks
Greasy pizza
Deep-fried, high-fat foods
Replacement Snacks
Baked potato chips
Granola bars
Trail mix
Fruit cups
100 percent juice drinks
Diet soda (high schools)
Baked lower-fat french fries
Healthier pizzas with whole grain crust
The new standards are set to take effect in July 2014 to give schools and their suppliers enough time to adjust to the guidelines, according to Bloomberg News. The guidelines exempt foods sold after school, bake sales and fundraisers. Sweets are allowed at school parties and students can bring their own snacks from home.
"Nothing is more important than the health and wellbeing of our children," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in announcing the new requirements. "Parents and schools work hard to give our youngsters the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong, and providing healthy options throughout school cafeterias, vending machines, and snack bars will support their great efforts."
According to reports, the new standards stem from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which aims to decrease child obesity by promoting healthy eating habits and food in schools. The law required the Agriculture Department to set new nutrition standards for food items sold and served at schools.
For more information about the national school ban on junk food, click here.
