The nation’s largest beverage distributors have agreed to remove the sugary drinks from school vending machines and cafeterias. Bill Clinton brokered the deal.


AP:

The nation’s largest beverage distributors have agreed to halt nearly all sales of sodas to public schools ? a step that will remove the sugary, caloric drinks from vending machines and cafeterias around the country.

The agreement was announced Wednesday by the William J. Clinton Foundation and will also likely apply to many private and parochial schools.

“This is a bold step forward in the struggle to help 35 million young people lead healthier lives,” former President Clinton said at a news conference. “This one policy can add years and years and years to the lives of a very large number of young people.”

Under the agreement, the companies also have agreed to sell only water, unsweetened juice and low-fat milks to elementary and middle schools. Diet sodas would be sold only to high schools.

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