Philadelphia bans sale of carbonated soft drinks in public schools

Food & Drink Weekly, Feb 16, 2004

Philadelphia school officials banned the sale of carbonated soft drinks in city schools in an effort to battle youth obesity. Starting in July, only milk, water, fruit juice and the occasional sports drink will be available from most of the district's 740 vending machines and in its cafeterias. "This policy will go a long way in supporting one of the district's core missions; doing everything we can to keep our students safe and healthy," School Reform Commission chairman James Nevels said in a statement.

The 214,000-student district followed a recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics to eliminate soft drinks as a way of fighting obesity. The district estimated it will lose $500,000 a year from soda sales. Sports drinks, which also have a high sugar content, will be available only in high school vending machines near athletic facilities. Sodas will continue to be sold in faculty lounges.

The National Soft Drink Association, which represents most soft-drink makers nationwide, said a total ban on soda is unnecessary. "We are concerned about obesity too ... but we don't believe that the restrictive approach, and bans in particular, work," said association president Kathleen Dezio.