WASHINGTON, D.C. June 27, 2013 We commend the USDA for issuing strong nutritional requirements for all snacks and beverages sold in schools during the school day. For the first time in our country 's history, we now have national nutrition standards for all food sold to kids during the school day.
When these new standards take effect at the start of the 2014-2015 school year, they will complement the positive impact we 're already seeing from the school meal standards implemented last year. Kids will find snack items sold a la carte in the cafeteria, in vending machines and through school stores and snack bars that meet limits for calories, saturated and trans fats, sugars, and sodium, as well as provide a positive nutritional benefit. The USDA also requires that beverages sold in these venues meet strong calorie and portion size limits, with only water, milk or juice allowed to be sold in elementary and middle schools.
Evidence shows that approximately one-third of all cancer deaths are attributable to poor diet, physical inactivity and overweight and obesity. Since kids spend most of their days at school, it is essential that school environments support a healthy lifestyle to pave the way for lifelong, healthy eating. These new nutrition standards encourage children to make good choices throughout the school day and are a historic step forward in combating childhood obesity.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visitæwww.fightcancer.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Lauren Walens or Steven Weiss American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: (202) 661-5763 or (202) 661-5711 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] #nutrition #schoollunch #vending #USDA #snacks #soda #cancer #regulation