California bans soft drink sales in school

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  • Reply 81 of 161
    sammi josammi jo Posts: 4,634member
    Most soda is jammed packed with aspartame (aka Nutrasweet?).

    This stuff is poisonous by any definition, and to encourage its consumption by kids via soft drinks vending machines in schools is terminally wrong. This ban by California can only be good.



    Anyone want to read this? Chances are, you would never want to go anywhere near a product containing Nutrasweet again.



    try this one also
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  • Reply 82 of 161
    sammi josammi jo Posts: 4,634member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Eugene

    Yeah, the difference is banning sales of soft drinks at a middle school is useless WRT the intentions of the law. Kids aren't going to get any thinner because they can't buy a Coke from the school for 6-7 hours a day. And since they can bring these drinks from home, it's even more useless.



    So the state should implement the better idea. Ban soft drinks altogether, anywhere, for all ages. I mean, they want to combat obesity, right? Soft drinks are evil, right? The state knows what's best, right?




    I am no fan of official interference by government into the private affairs of people...but if the (longterm) health of children is at risk because the soft drinks industry has the lobbying power and $$ bribes to push their products in places of learning, then it is for the public good to remove these corporate privileges.



    What is the most important, Eugene? The health and welfare of America's kids, or the bottom lines of junk food corporations who prey on kids who have no idea what's good or bad for their health? (Ignorant parents are equally to blame as well).



    http://www.apa.org/science/ed-brownell.html
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  • Reply 83 of 161
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by sammi jo

    I am no fan of official interference by government into the private affairs of people...but if the (longterm) health of children is at risk because the soft drinks industry has the lobbying power and $$ bribes to push their products in places of learning, then it is for the public good to remove these corporate privileges.



    What is the most important, Eugene? The health and welfare of America's kids, or the bottom lines of junk food corporations who prey on kids who have no idea what's good or bad for their health? (Ignorant parents are equally to blame as well).



    http://www.apa.org/science/ed-brownell.html




    Jesus Christ. This is about the soft drink bill, not the corporate contract bill. The two are not inherently linked. The article chose to mix discussion of both into one piece, but they are separate bills and should be treated that way.



    So who's with me for starting an underground soft drink distribution network? A secret society of Pepsi peddlers. Speakeasies were very profitable...
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  • Reply 84 of 161
    addaboxaddabox Posts: 12,665member
    Holy Christ what's wrong with you people? Has your slavish devotion to free market correctness made you just plain stupid? We're talking about marketing to children. A captive audience of children. By corporations intent on engendering brand loyalty from as early an age as possible, and willing to spend as much money as necessary to see to it. If you think that characterization is just some "liberal" folk-lore, you're really really not paying attention. A state-wide ban is intended to act as a corrective to the money dangled in front of school districts. All this ranting about the slippery slope of government control is insulting nonsense. I have far more concern about the tender affections of a corporate climate that increasingly targets children directly-- corporations have a lot more money than the government and no moral structure what-so-ever beyond profit. The notion that it is hypocritical to not just ban soda outright, since adults are overweight too, seems like a line of reasoning from another planet. So our children require no special protections? I guess if "the government" says I can't have sex with a five year old they should just ban sex outright? How about smokes? Alchohol? Jeeze, there's money to be made in this underserved market, where the hell do those damn bureaucrats get off with their totalitarian thought control?! Yes, I know I haven't posted much and this is bit contentious for a start, but l draw the line when people start cheer-leading for selling my kids to greed-head m*therf*ckers in the name of some f*cked-up notion of "liberty".
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  • Reply 85 of 161
    What an excellent post.
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  • Reply 86 of 161
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by addabox

    A state-wide ban is intended to act as a corrective to the money dangled in front of school districts.



    There's a bill that deals specifically with the money-dangling phenomenon.



    The bill that is the topic of this thread is not the same. I've already told the usual suspects this. Why do I have to say it again? Severely limiting the school board's ability to negotiate corporate contracts with companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola is a viable solution... that's not the bill I'm against.



    It's still an issue that can be dealt with locally, especially if school districts do suddenly find it harder to make backroom deals with corporate types. That's what PTAs and school boards are for, right?



    The Corporate America vs The Little People argument is a tangent. It deserves its own thread.
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  • Reply 87 of 161
    Quote:

    Holy Christ what's wrong with you people? Has your slavish devotion to free market correctness made you just plain stupid? We're talking about marketing to children. A captive audience of children. By corporations intent on engendering brand loyalty from as early an age as possible, and willing to spend as much money as necessary to see to it. If you think that characterization is just some "liberal" folk-lore, you're really really not paying attention. A state-wide ban is intended to act as a corrective to the money dangled in front of school districts. All this ranting about the slippery slope of government control is insulting nonsense. I have far more concern about the tender affections of a corporate climate that increasingly targets children directly-- corporations have a lot more money than the government and no moral structure what-so-ever beyond profit. The notion that it is hypocritical to not just ban soda outright, since adults are overweight too, seems like a line of reasoning from another planet. So our children require no special protections? I guess if "the government" says I can't have sex with a five year old they should just ban sex outright? How about smokes? Alchohol? Jeeze, there's money to be made in this underserved market, where the hell do those damn bureaucrats get off with their totalitarian thought control?! Yes, I know I haven't posted much and this is bit contentious for a start, but l draw the line when people start cheer-leading for selling my kids to greed-head m*therf*ckers in the name of some f*cked-up notion of "liberty".







    Best post in this thread period.



    The real question is WHY do schools have to even consider deals with Coke, pepsi, and Doritos Inc.



    Could it be related to the fact that too many of our teachers are currently paying for supplies out of their own underpaid pocket? Hmm....



    The LOCAL schools were not doing there job.



    Thank Christ, Allah and the Easter Bunny our government is doing something about it. Because later in life its going to cost us all (you, me, health ins. companies, the goverment.) and something tells me Doritos Inc will not be around with health ins. certificates for "diabetic dan" or "obesse oliver"





    Geezus, of all the things in life to start a pissed off thread over...I hope all of you who complained about "Big State" moving in, count your blessings at night.





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  • Reply 88 of 161
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    Incorrect. The schools here WERE doing the job, as many major school districts had implemented their own local plans. Not Unlike Myself already mentioned this, and he thinks the bill is a good idea. If the local schools were doing the right thing, why does it need to be a state law? If it's all about backroom deals, why doesn't this particular bill deal with them...AT ALL?
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  • Reply 89 of 161
    brbr Posts: 8,395member
    I mourn the death of personal responsibility. Thank you to those so-called liberals who killed it.
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  • Reply 90 of 161
    shawnjshawnj Posts: 6,656member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by BR

    I mourn the death of personal responsibility. Thank you to those so-called liberals who killed it.



    KIDS DON'T KNOW "PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY."



    For crying out loud, we're talking about kids here who usually can't make informed decisions about nutrition. Like I said, the ban on soda sales in schools puts the decision back into parents' hands so they can all be responsible for the fattening of their children. Not just the parents of certain school districts in California but all of them.



    Man, I grew up on Juicy Juice, ice water, and milk/chocolate milk in Pennsylvania. Where's the responsibility not to install these soda machines in schools in the first place? Come on, br.
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  • Reply 91 of 161
    brbr Posts: 8,395member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by ShawnJ

    KIDS DON'T KNOW "PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY."



    For crying out loud, we're talking about kids here who usually can't make informed decisions about nutrition. Like I said, the ban on soda sales in schools puts the decision back into parents' hands so they can all be responsible for the fattening of their children. Not just the parents of certain school districts in California but all of them.



    Man, I grew up on Juicy Juice, ice water, and milk/chocolate milk in Pennsylvania. Where's the responsibility not to install these soda machines in schools in the first place? Come on, br.




    Parents. 'Nuff said.
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  • Reply 92 of 161
    bungebunge Posts: 7,329member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by BR

    Parents. 'Nuff said.



    Parents can send their kids to school with soda. So, you're wrong?
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  • Reply 93 of 161
    Quote:

    Originally posted by ShawnJ

    Conversely, kids certainly don't know what's best.



    Take soda machines out of schools across the nation.

    Take fast food out of cafeterias.

    Make P/E mandatory again.

    Educate students about nutrition.

    Support after-school activities.



    It's all part of a score of things that schools can do to help reduce obesity. Removing soda machines from schools is going to make it harder for a kid to have a Coke with his/her lunch everyday unless his parents approve. Combined with other measures that the states should undertake.....it's a good thing overall that should see results.



    Hopefully, healthy eating habits established during childhood will remain during adulthood.




    Shawn,



    You make some good points, and I do think they might be effective. However what would you say to those who have advocated this sort of comprehensive approach for drug users and cigarette users?



    Obviously some things have worked, like drunk driving is much lower nowadays than in the past. However illegal drug use is likely no lower and cigarette smoking rates while falling for a long time seem to have stablized right in the 25-28% range.



    I only say this because these parent DO approve of a tremendous amount of fatty food. They also overwhelmingly endorse a huge amount of prepackaged foods which are, even if they are healthy choices, not nearly as healthy as they would be when not mass produced.



    So even if all the kid has is crackers, they are in an individually wrapped package with peanut butter or processed cheese food substitute and likely the worst nutritional crackers you can create.



    I just wonder how effective these measures will be when school is such a small part of the choice. Even when the schools provide the lunches and breakfasts, they are often of poor nutritional value and when the children can make choices within those lunches they make poor choices.



    For example I could take a photograph of the huge pile of apples, oranges left by the students each day. Meanwhile they bring full size BAG OF CHIPS to snack on. I'm not talking the .59, or .99 bag, I'm talking the FAMILY SIZE bag.





    Nick
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  • Reply 94 of 161
    bungebunge Posts: 7,329member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by trumptman

    I only say this because these parent DO approve of a tremendous amount of fatty food. They also overwhelmingly endorse a huge amount of prepackaged foods which are, even if they are healthy choices, not nearly as healthy as they would be when not mass produced.



    Do you think that parents of kids at schools that had pop machines relied on these machines? Like, did the parents give their kids some coins so they could buy pop with lunch? I'm just thinking that if so, banning the machines at school is a first step to getting a message out. When the parents realize they can no longer just give their kids money they'll probably also find out why.



    Now, those parents that don't already know pop is bad probably won't learn anyway. But still, the kids will be better off growing up 8 hours a day in an environment where they have to go get a drink of water when they're thirsty. That's a good habit to ingrain in the kids.
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  • Reply 95 of 161
    Quote:

    Originally posted by bunge

    Do you think that parents of kids at schools that had pop machines relied on these machines? Like, did the parents give their kids some coins so they could buy pop with lunch? I'm just thinking that if so, banning the machines at school is a first step to getting a message out. When the parents realize they can no longer just give their kids money they'll probably also find out why.



    Now, those parents that don't already know pop is bad probably won't learn anyway. But still, the kids will be better off growing up 8 hours a day in an environment where they have to go get a drink of water when they're thirsty. That's a good habit to ingrain in the kids.




    I understand that but I also know that others here have advocated suing "Big Fat" and restricting advertising not just in school, but in society.



    I certainly don't mind schools avoiding soft drink contracts and things of that nature. I'm just saying that when you are working against a societal trend it is like sticking a finger in the dike. If they are fine with the finger that is okay with me, but they should be honest and admit to more if for them, that is just the start.



    I would bet that a small percentage of unhealthy food is actually sold by the schools. The kids bring the majority of it from home, or buy it on the way to school at stores.



    Have you considered that route for example? Many of these students walk to school and simply spend their lunch money on the way there. That is why lunch consists of a large 20 oz soda and a bag of chips.



    Also what determines healthy? If the schools is selling burritos for lunch, are those healthy? Are the twinkies obviously unhealthy, but what about the chocolate covered granola bar?



    Nick
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  • Reply 96 of 161
    Quote:

    Originally posted by trumptman

    I understand that but I also know that others here have advocated suing "Big Fat" and restricting advertising not just in school, but in society.



    I certainly don't mind schools avoiding soft drink contracts and things of that nature. I'm just saying that when you are working against a societal trend it is like sticking a finger in the dike. If they are fine with the finger that is okay with me, but they should be honest and admit to more if for them, that is just the start.



    I would bet that a small percentage of unhealthy food is actually sold by the schools. The kids bring the majority of it from home, or buy it on the way to school at stores.



    Have you considered that route for example? Many of these students walk to school and simply spend their lunch money on the way there. That is why lunch consists of a large 20 oz soda and a bag of chips.



    Also what determines healthy? If the schools is selling burritos for lunch, are those healthy? Are the twinkies obviously unhealthy, but what about the chocolate covered granola bar?



    Nick




    You've never been to my school.



    They sell 5 types of ice cream, TONS of pizza daily, and a lot of popcorn. They sell sodas, too.



    There is a large(for a town of 28,000) shopping center right next to the school, though, but I think that kids mostly bring Starbucks and Jamba Juice to school from there.



    OT: My school has ads up for Dumb and Dumberer and Neopets.
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  • Reply 97 of 161
    brbr Posts: 8,395member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by bunge

    Parents can send their kids to school with soda. So, you're wrong?



    What's with the smug arrogant hostility from you lately?



    The ban is dumb. It's knee-jerk reactive and not well thought out. My sister is in high school still. She saw her soda machines ripped out and replaced with candy machines and dispensers of other non-carbonated sugarwater drinks.



    So, bunge, should stores stop selling sodas to minors? Should fast food restaraunts stop selling food to minors? If any kid can just walk into a store or restaurant and order an EVIL soda and a EVIL hamburger, it denies parents the right to personal responsibility, allowing their kids to circumvent their controls.
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  • Reply 98 of 161
    bungebunge Posts: 7,329member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by BR

    What's with the smug arrogant hostility from you lately?



    My apologies. I was just attempting to fight fire with fire. I should just stick with arguments.



    Quote:

    Originally posted by BR

    So, bunge, should stores stop selling sodas to minors? Should fast food restaraunts stop selling food to minors? If any kid can just walk into a store or restaurant and order an EVIL soda and a EVIL hamburger, it denies parents the right to personal responsibility, allowing their kids to circumvent their controls.



    No. Should people be allowed to buy alcohol in a church? Like churches, schools should promote what they believe. That being a good education, an accurate history, etc. If they're in the business of selling food as well, they should promote good healthy foods. Schools shouldn't be in the business of making money. That should be last on the list of priorities.



    The other places you mention are in the business of making money. Let them make their money. Schools have no business being a business.



    PS Any posts I've made outside of AO have actually been sarcastic. I knew as I was making them there was a chance you wouldn't see them in that light, but others in the thread would. I was just poking fun at your signature.
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  • Reply 99 of 161
    shawnjshawnj Posts: 6,656member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by BR

    What's with the smug arrogant hostility from you lately?



    The ban is dumb. It's knee-jerk reactive and not well thought out. My sister is in high school still. She saw her soda machines ripped out and replaced with candy machines and dispensers of other non-carbonated sugarwater drinks.



    So, bunge, should stores stop selling sodas to minors? Should fast food restaraunts stop selling food to minors? If any kid can just walk into a store or restaurant and order an EVIL soda and a EVIL hamburger, it denies parents the right to personal responsibility, allowing their kids to circumvent their controls.




    Your logic is just atrocious here.



    SCHOOLS = STORES



    Wonderful.



    Anyone want to comment on that?



    But you're definitely right in that the ban will not be implemented very well. Schools can just bring in a sponsor like Snapple to sell drinks with even more sugar. So what do we do? I think banning the sale of soda is a good first step- now let's eliminate the sale of drinks that are just as bad.
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  • Reply 100 of 161
    brbr Posts: 8,395member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by ShawnJ

    Your logic is just atrocious here.



    SCHOOLS = STORES



    Wonderful.



    Anyone want to comment on that?



    But you're definitely right in that the ban will not be implemented very well. Schools can just bring in a sponsor like Snapple to sell drinks with even more sugar. So what do we do? I think banning the sale of soda is a good first step- now let's eliminate the sale of drinks that are just as bad.




    Targeting soda is dumb. It is a horrible first step because there will not be a second step. If water was the only bottled drink sold in schools, then I might agree to it. MIGHT.
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