Senate Leadership
May 3, 2006
National Agreement on Soda Ban a Step Closer to Connecticut's Strictest-in-Nation Law
Senator Williams' battle against soda companies is vindicated
State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) today praised an agreement between major beverage distributors and anti obesity advocates to strictly limit the sale of soda as "a good first step" in the battle for children's health. Under the agreement, the beverage distributors agree not to sell non-diet soda in any public schools, anywhere in the nation.
According to published reports, the distributors, working with a joint initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, also have agreed to sell only water, juice and low-fat milks to elementary and middle schools, said Jay Carson, a spokesman for former President Clinton.
Cadbury Schweppes, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and the American Beverage Association have all signed onto the deal, Carson said, adding that the companies represent "a very significant market share." The American Beverage Association represents the majority of school vending bottlers.
"Once again, Connecticut has shown itself to be national leader in the effort to provide healthy nutritional choices for our children," Sen. Williams said. "Just last week, we claimed victory on behalf of better nutrition and health for children in passage of the Healthy Schools Initiative-the most sweeping school nutrition bill in the country."
Added Sen. Williams, "While we are pleased this new, national agreement is a good first step, we hope the rest of the nation will follow our lead and ban all soda in all public schools. During the debate on our landmark legislation, pediatricians told us diet soda is never an appropriate drink for children. It depletes calcium and erodes bone mass."
Sen. Williams, a former chairman of the legislature's Select Committee on Children, said, "The scientific evidence is overwhelming, parents' organizations, educators, pediatricians and nutritionists supported our bill, and 68 percent of Connecticut citizens favoring the banning of soda in our public schools."
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