A law to be introduced this winter will give Massachusetts one of the US’ most sweeping childhood obesity reduction plans.
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Lawmakers are creating a statewide uniform school food policy requiring all food in cafeterias or vending machines to comply with Department of Education nutritional standards.
Under the new rules, drinks can be water, fruit juice with at least 50% natural juice, or low- or non-fat milk. Soft drinks will be banned completely, as will be sugar confectionery and most varieties of potato chips. Vending machine foods must have no more than 35% of calories from fat, 10% of calories from saturated fat, and 35% of calories from sugar. Nutritional information on all foods will be available to students, who will also get more time for physical activity in class or recess each year.
