Coke Deal Could Make Schools Target of Suits
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Description: Seattle School Board warned that it might become the target of an anti-obesity lawsuit for allowing schools to peddle soda to students. [Seattle Post-Intelligencer Reporter]
Coke deal could make schools target of suits - seattlepi.com Quick links to other pages on this site Coke deal could make schools target of suits By DEBORAH BACH, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER Published 10:00Â pm, Tuesday, July 1, 2003
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| Page title: | Coke deal could make schools target of suits - seattlepi.com |
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| Description: | A prominent Washington, D.C., law professor who led billion-dollar victories against the tobacco industry warned the Seattle School Board yesterday that it might become the target of an anti-obesity lawsuit for allowing middle and high schools to peddle soda to students. George Washington University professor John Banzhaf said he and other lawyers would lend their support to lawsuits against school boards in districts that have exclusive vending machine contracts with soft drink providers. The School Board was to decide tonight on renewing the contract for another five years with two changes: prohibiting sales of carbonated drinks in middle schools during school hours, and requiring that at least three slots in each vending machine be reserved for non-carbonated soft drinks or water. The threat of a potential lawsuit comes at a time when large food companies are being blamed, and even sued, for marketing products that have contributed to a growing array of health ills and an obesity problem that some experts say is out of control in this country. In an unusual move, Kraft, the maker of Oreo cookies, Kraft macaroni and cheese and Oscar Mayer meats, promised to eliminate in-school marketing to children, introduce smaller portion sizes and develop healthier, more nutritious products. Health professionals and consumer advocates applauded Kraft's announcement, while health and food industry experts said that Kraft and other food companies were promising new health initiatives because the big food companies hope to avoid the fate of the big tobacco companies, which were sued for marketing highly addictive cigarettes without properly disclosing their health risks. At yesterday's news conference in Seattle, Brita Butler-Wall, the founder and executive director of the Citizens' Campaign for Commercial-Free Schools, said she does not want a costly lawsuit brought against the district, which is already grappling with a budget shortfall of more than $9 million next year. Venice High School in Los Angeles decided to rid the school of all pop and junk food, expanding its salad and soup bars and stocking vending machines with items such as trail mix, all-fruit carbonated beverages and sport drinks such as Powerade. |
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