The Iowa Board of Education is considering new rules that would eliminate sugary drinks and fatty snacks from school vending machines.
The legislature’s 2008 Healthy Kids Act mandates new nutrition standards for foods and beverages available to students during the school day.
Department of Education attorney Carol Greta says the proposed rules will mean no soft drinks or anything caffeinated could be sold at school.
Greta says,"In a school vending machine that’s available to students during school hours, what you’ll find are waters, flavored waters, skim milk, fruit and vegetable juices and sport drinks."
And snacks will have to comply with new guidelines for calories and fat content. The board will schedule public comment sessions, before adopting the rules for next fall, and Greta expects lots of comments.
"Yes, I think we’ll have comment on both sides of the issue. There will be some who think we haven’t gone far enough. I expect the majority of comments will be from folks who think this is going too far," Greta says.
The rules won’t apply to school lunches, since those are regulated by the federal government. Concession stands at sports events will also be exempt.