Congress may ban junk food from schools -- what took so long?

Posted Dec 3rd 2007 7:19PM by Zac Bissonnette
Filed under: Good news

As news of the nationwide obesity epidemic among children sweeps through the media, it's hard to fathom that one of major purveyors of crap food are the schools: Yes, those places we send children so they can be safe and grow up to strong, intelligent members of society.

Mercifully, Congress is close to dealing with the issue. According to the New York Times, "Federal lawmakers are considering the broadest effort ever to limit what children eat: a national ban on selling candy, sugary soda and salty, fatty food in school snack bars, vending machines and a la carte cafeteria lines ...Several lawmakers and advocates for changes in school food believe that an amendment to the $286 billion farm bill is the best chance to get control of the mountain of high-calorie snacks and sodas available to schoolchildren. Even if the farm bill does not pass, Mr. Harkin and Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, a sponsor of the amendment, vow to keep reintroducing it in other forms until it sticks."

Signing this bill would send the right message. It's important for schools to raise money to fund programs, but exploiting vulnerable members of society and selling them something that could have a very negative impact on their lives is not the right way to do that. Government should not fund programs, however worthy, that sell unhealthy stuff to people.

The next step is for some independent-minded, courageous politicians (yeah, I know) to take on the lottery, which is similar to junk food in schools, in that they raise money by selling unhealthy products to society's most vulnerable.

Tags: Children, Diet, Obesity, Schools, Weight

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-03-2007 @ 8:45PM

johnclrdsprn said...

Congress should mind it's own business!!! These slugs are in every aspect of American life...Butt out!!! Do what you do best. Go on vacation!!

12-03-2007 @ 9:13PM

mike n said...

No such thing as junk food as long as you know your limits to just a serving. Read the label before you dive in. Junk food is just for taste, not as a meal.

12-03-2007 @ 9:30PM

john magurn said...

Big Brother is intent to erode our freedom of choice bit by bite-sized bit.

12-03-2007 @ 9:51PM

KMB said...

I agree with the above comments. This is not a Federal issue, it is a state and local issue. Just because you can strong arm people with a budget bill doesn't make it allright. There are far more pressing world issues that need attention from the Congress. No more pandering and grandstanding.

12-03-2007 @ 10:40PM

Pwingy said...

This might be a good thing to do. If Congress delegates the issue of smoking in work areas, why shouldn't they delegate what children eat in public schools? Especially since obesity is on the rise and is the number one health concern that can lead to other health conditions such as, high blood pressure, diabetes and so on.
Congress should focus on putting things in those vending machines like granola bars, fresh fruit and spring water (instead of junk food and sodas.)
I don't feel they are being like big brother but I do think it is about time they do something to take care of the obesity problem that is plaquing our nation. Here's hoping that we can teach our children to make the wisest choices when it comes down to eating the healthiest foods possible.