Schwarzenegger Expected To Sign Bill Restricting Food Sales in Schools at Nutrition Summit
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday is expected to sign legislation that would limit sales of soda and snack foods on public school campuses in California, the Sacramento Bee reports.
The signing of the bills, considered the most comprehensive in the nation, is expected to take place during Schwarzenegger's Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity.
According to the Bee, public health advocates support the bills, calling them a "critical step in tackling the growing epidemic of overweight children and adolescents in California." However, critics say that limiting unhealthy foods and sodas in school will not motivate children or parents to take the steps necessary to improve overall health.
Meanwhile, a report released by Consumers Union on Wednesday to coincide with the summit found that government efforts to promote healthy eating habits are "overwhelmed by industry marketing," the Bee reports. According to the report, the food, beverage, candy and restaurant industries spent $11.26 billion on advertising in 2004, compared with $9.55 million spent on the state's Five a Day campaign to promote eating fruits and vegetables (Griffith, Sacramento Bee, 9/15).
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