California Enacts Toughest Diet Rules in Nation

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed landmark legislation that will raise nutritional standards for food sold at California schools and ban the sale of sodas on all campuses by 2009. The restrictions will apply only to food sold at schools and does not affect what students bring to campuses.

-SB12 says that by 2007, all K-12 schools should have no more the following in an individually sold snack:

• 35% of its calories from fat (excluding legumes, nuts, nut butters, seeds, eggs, non-fried vegetables and cheese packaged for indidivual sale).

• 10% of its calories from saturated fat (excluding eggs and cheese).

• 35% sugar by weight (excluding fruits and vegetables).

• 175 calories (elelmentary) or 250 calories (middle and high school)

An individually sold entree may have no more than 4 grams of fat per 100 calories and not exceed 400 calories.

-SB965 allows only milk, water, juice, and electrolyte drinks to be sold.

-SB281 will provide $18.2 million to provide fruits and vegetables for school breakfast programs.

Steve - This is a great start. As usual, California takes the lead. The federal government should follow their lead. After these restrictions have had some time to take hold, we should take the guidelines a few steps further.