Tell Congress to Ban Junk Food from Schools Nationwide

April 18, 2005
From: Commercial Alert <www.commercialalert.org

Dear friends, Here's a great opportunity to improve the health of our children.

Last Friday, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy re-introduced his bill to ban the sale of junk food and soda pop in public schools nationwide.

The bill is called the "Prevention of Childhood Obesity Act" (S. 799), and it has several excellent provisions.

Most importantly, in schools that receive federal funds, the bill would ban vending machines that sell "foods of poor or minimal nutritional value," including soda pop, some candy, chewing gum, etc. It would provide grants to schools that prohibit advertising and marketing of "foods of poor or minimal nutritional values such as fast foods, soft drinks and candy," or provide food options low in fat, calories and added sugars, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It would require daily physical activity classes, and would encourage the consumption of water in school and in
communities.

The bill ought to be overwhelmingly popular. According to a Wall Street Journal poll in February, 2005, 83% of Americans "believe public schools need to do a better job of limiting children's access to unhealthy foods like snack foods, sugary soft drinks and fast food."

Of course, our nation's obesity lobby (our largest food and beverage companies, media conglomerates and advertising agencies) will likely do everything they can to oppose the legislation.

That's why we are organizing 10,000 people to convince their U.S. senators to co-sponsor the bill.

Here is how you can help in two simple steps:

1) Call your senators, the congressional switchboard phone is 202.225.3121.

2) Forward this email to everyone you know who cares about children, and ask them to take action now.

To read the text of Sen. Kennedy's Prevention of Childhood Obesity Act, click here.

To read more about the marketing of junk food to schoolchildren, click here.