Originally published July 21 2005
Battle over sodas in schools comes to Connecticut governor's doorstep
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell recently threw out a bill to outlaw soda and junk food from schools saying it undermined parents' responsibility, but Food USA reports that critics feel Rell has sided with soda companies in opposition of parent's ability to feed their children nutritious fare.
The bill, which would have outlawed soft drinks and junk food in schools, became a fight between those who prioritized healthier food in schools and those who prioritized local control.
And governor Jodi Rell, who had the final say, decided to throw the bill out.
"By siding with soda companies, Governor Rell has undermined parents' ability to feed their children healthful diets.
"Perhaps this is not surprising, given that Coca-Cola's fight against this bill was led by a former top campaign advisor to Governor Rell.
State Senate president Pro Tem Donald Williams, who sponsored the legislation, estimated that soft drink and vending companies spent more than $250,000 lobbying against the bill out of concern that it would set a national precedent.
Experts said the legislation would have been the strictest school nutrition bill in the country.
"While it is undeniable that more needs to be done to encourage school nutrition, initiatives should be taken on the local level by locally elected school boards, in cooperation with parents and students," the Governor said.
The Legislature's Commission on Children claims that nearly 1 in 10 of Connecticut's high school students is overweight.
And Rell's veto comes at a time when there is increasingly evidence that excessive soft drink consumption can contribute to obesity.
A new study from Tufts University's Dr Odilia Bermudez suggests that sweet drinks have now overtaken white bread as the leading source of calories in the American diet.
He found that 67 percent of respondents reported drinking as much as three servings of soda or sweet drinks each day, a point picked up by the CPSI.
"Soda is already the single biggest source of calories for many kids and today Governor Rell has pretty much guaranteed that that will remain the case in Connecticut," said Wootan.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml