School Beverage Guideline Update

NEW YORK  – The beverage industry continues to significantly cut calories in schools two years into a three-year implementation period of the national School Beverage Guideline, a new report released September 12 showed. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, worked with representatives of The Coca-Cola Company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and PepsiCo, Inc. and the American Beverage Association to establish these guidelines that limit portion sizes and reduce the number of calories available to children during the school day.  The School Beverage Guidelines Progress Report 2007-2008 showed that beverage calories shipped to schools have decreased by 58 percent since 2004. Also, 79 percent of schools under contract with bottlers are already in compliance with the national School Beverage Guidelines, which surpasses the 75 percent initially set benchmark.“We’re cutting calories in schools, plain and simple,” Neely said. “This industry made a bold commitment two years ago to change the beverage mix in schools, and we are delivering. We recognize that schools are unique places and we’re doing our part to help students understand the importance of balancing calories burned with calories consumed.” To view a copy of the full progress report, click here.Source: American Beverage Association