USDA Denies Petition to Restrict Junk Food in Schools

The movement to toss soda, candy, chewing gum, and other junk food out of our nation’s schools has suffered a huge blow, according to Commercial Alert, a consumer advocacy group which seeks to defend our nation’s young from flagrant commercialism.

As Commercial Alert laments on its blog, the U.S. Department of Agriculture rejected its petition to enforce its own competitive foods rule, which prohibits public schools from selling `foods of minimal nutritional value’ during mealtimes in school cafeterias.”

“The rule was designed to promote the health of school children, but enforcement today is lax to non-existent,” bemoans Gary Ruskin, executive director of the group, that’s been lobbying hard to keep our kids from scarfing junk food that could lead to obesity and hence diabetes.

The irony is that the USDA denied Commercial Alert’s petition despite the fact that there’s been overwhelming public support to restrict junk food sales to school kids.

Indeed, Ruskin notes, a Wall Street Journal poll (Feb. 2005), found that 83% of American adults believe “public schools need to do a better job of limiting children’s access to unhealthy foods like snack foods, sugary soft drinks and fast food.”

The sad reality is that lobbying from food companies that produce soda, candy, and other junk food have given huge donations to the current administration‘s campaign.

Seriously, folks, how can we stand by idly and let our children’s health suffer, because they’re pigging out on junk food? Join those of us who are concerned and speak out to keep the quickie carb crap out of the schools!