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In an effort to battle youth obesity, Philadelphia school
officials banned the sale of carbonated soft drinks in city
schools.
Beginning in July, the available selection from most of the
district’s 740 vending machines and cafeterias will be
milk, water, fruit juices and the occasional sports drinks.
School officials are hoping this policy will be effective
in supporting the school district’s core mission, which
centers on doing everything they can to keep their students
safe and healthy.
Eliminating soft drinks to fight obesity was a recommendation
to the 214,000-student district given by the American Academy
of Pediatrics. The district is predicting a $500,000 a year
loss in soda sales from the vending machines.
Sports drinks, which also contain a lot of sugar, will be
limited to high school vending machines. Sodas will continue
to be sold in faculty cafeterias.
The National Soft Drink Association, which represents most
soft-drink makers nationwide, expressed that they have concerns
about obesity, yet don’t feel a total ban on soda is
necessary.
CNN.com
February 5, 2004
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