The American Beverage Association announced it’s decreased the total beverage calories shipped to American schools by 88 percent over the past five years. The report comes at the end of a three-year initiative to cut drink calories in schools in an attempt to stem rising childhood obesity rates. The initiative is spearheaded by the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, working in conjunction with the Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group.
“We are encouraged by the significant progress we’ve made and look forward to continuing our work with participating schools, companies and the American Beverage Association to give young people the options and opportunities they need to lead healthier lives,” said Former President Bill Clinton in a press release.
Major soft-drink makers have stopped shipping full-calorie sodas to schools, replacing them with smaller portion sizes, and diet and lower-calorie options. Though the report — produced by an independent consultant — gives credit to the beverage companies for decreasing shipment of full-calorie sodas by 95 percent, shipment of all drinks to schools have diminished, including waters and juices, although less drastically.
Marion Nestle, a professor at New York University and outspoken critic of the junk food industry, applauded the Beverage Association for its efforts. However, she said vending machines should simply be taken out of schools. “If kids don’t buy drinks from vending machines, the schools don’t need them, right?” wrote Nestle on her blog, Food Politics.
The full report can be found here.
