School Policies on Soda Seem Flat

The American Beverage Association announced a new policy aimed at curbing the in-school sales of soda in an effort to help address the growing problem of childhood obesity. However, critics charge that the measures are as flat as day-old soda. The plan bypasses high-school students, who are seen as having "the ability to make informed choices" and focuses solely on middle-school. The new policy calls for restricting full-calorie soda and juice drinks containing 5 percent or less real juice to after-school hours. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the many types of lemonade, iced tea, flavored fruit drinks and sports drinks being peddled as alternatives are nothing more than "soda without the bubbles."