News Releases & Statements

American Beverage Association Statement on School Nutrition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2009

Contacts:  
ABA Press Office
(202) 463-6770 

American Beverage Association Statement on School Nutrition

In response to legislation introduced today by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan K. Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association, issued the following statement:

"Our industry agrees that childhood obesity is a serious, complex problem in need of comprehensive solutions.  That is why, as a parent and a representative of America's non-alcoholic beverage industry, I am proud that our industry continues to lead the way on school health and wellness. And it's why we support the efforts of Sens. Harkin and Murkowski to address school nutrition in a comprehensive manner.

The beverage industry has already significantly cut calories from beverages shipped to schools by 58 percent in our nation's schools through the national School Beverage Guidelines. We are committed to continuing that reduction.  The guidelines cap calories from beverages, reduce portion sizes and remove full-calorie soft drinks. Further, energy drinks do not fall within the parameters of the guidelines.

The national School Beverage Guidelines were developed with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. After just two years of a three-year implementation process, nearly 80 percent of schools under contract with bottlers are already in compliance with the guidelines.

Our efforts show remarkable progress and commitment by our industry to change the beverages available in schools, with a focus on reducing calories. We recognize that schools are unique places that provide the right opportunity to educate our children about the importance of balancing calories consumed with calories burned, and want to do our part to help parents and schools reinforce this fundamental principle for healthy living.  We believe the sincere commitment by our industry on school nutrition, as well as our progress on implementation, is why Sens. Harkin and Murkowski have brought our industry to the table over the past year as part of their pursuit of federal school nutrition legislation.   The School Beverage Guidelines provide the right model and a foundation for federal legislation.

We stand ready to continue working with Sens. Harkin and Murkowski, as well as other lawmakers, on comprehensive school nutrition legislation, and encourage similar focus by lawmakers on increasing physical activity in schools."

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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States. 

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