General Assembly Approves Bill Forbidding the Advertising of Unhealthy Foods in Schools

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General Assembly Approves Bill Forbidding the Advertising of Unhealthy Foods in Schools

Senator Sosnowski bill is approved
The General Assembly gave approval to legislation that would forbid the advertising of unhealthy foods to children in schools.

“Now that we have successfully removed junk food from our schools’ cafeterias and vending machines, we can focus more on the goal of improving dietary practices in our children. To achieve that goal, it’s necessary to encourage healthy eating habits. The Department of Agriculture has found that educating children on nutrition goes a long way toward achieving the goal of healthy eating,” said Senator Sosnowski.

The legislation, sponsored by Senator V. Susan Sosnowski and Rep. Joseph McNamara, now heads to the governor’s office.

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The Legislation

The bill would prohibit the advertising of unhealthy food and beverage products in schools, particularly those that may not be sold on the school campus during the school day, since they do not meet the minimum nutrition standards.

Specifically, the legislation would forbid the advertising of food that does not meet the minimum nutritional standards set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Advertising would be prohibited on any property or facility owned or leased by the school district or school and used at any time for school-related activities, including school buildings, athletic fields, facilities, signs, scoreboards, parking lots, school buses, equipment, vending machines, uniforms, educational material, and supplies.

McNamara added, “The next step in this public health crisis, which is long overdue, is to promote healthy eating habits. That cannot be done when children are bombarded all day long with advertisements for junk food. Childhood obesity has more than tripled since the 1970s.”


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