Assembly Committee Approves Bill To Ban Soda Sales in Schools

The Assembly Health Committee yesterday voted to approve a bill (SB 677) that would ban the sale of carbonated drinks in California schools after the bill's author agreed not to extend the ban to high school campuses, the San Francisco Chronicle reports (San Francisco Chronicle, 7/2). Under the bill, sponsored by Sen. Debra Ortiz (D-Sacramento), starting Sept. 1, 2005, elementary and middle schools would have to sell milk, water, fruit juice and fruit-based drinks that contain at least 50% fruit juice and have no added sweeteners instead of soda. Soda sales would be permitted more than 30 minutes before or after school, at school athletic events or as part of student fundraising efforts (California Healthline, 5/30). Assembly Health Committee Chair Dario Frommer (D-Los Angeles) said that he would only support the measure if high schools were exempt, saying, "I just feel that kids in high school are young adults and they should be able to make some choices." The bill now heads to the Assembly Education Committee. Earlier this year, the Senate approved the bill without the soda ban exemption for high schools (San Francisco Chronicle, 7/2).