Distributors to stop selling nondiet sodas

No sodas will be sold in elementary and middle schools.
NEW YORK (AP) -- School soda pop machines are about to lose their high-calorie fizz.
In a deal announced Wednesday by the William J. Clinton Foundation, the nation's largest beverage distributors agreed to stop selling nondiet sodas to most public schools, where childhood obesity has become an increasing concern.
"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."
Public high schools would be sold diet soda under the agreement, but elementary and middle schools would be sold only unsweetened juice, low-fat milk and water, said Jay Carson, a spokesman for the former president.
"I don't think anyone should underestimate the influence this agreement will have," said Susan Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association.
The agreement should reach an estimated 87 percent of the school drink market, Neely said. Industry giants Cadbury Schweppes PLC, Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. -- all ABA members -- agreed to the changes, she said.
Effect on sales
The move shouldn't have much effect on the $63 billion beverage industry's bottom line, said John Sicher, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest, which compiles extensive data on the industry.
"The sale of sugar-carbonated sodas in schools is a tiny, tiny part of their overall volume," Sicher said. "The impact is more in terms of responsibility and accountability to the consumer."
The deal follows a wave of regulation by school districts and state legislatures to cut back on pupil consumption of soda amid reports of rising childhood obesity rates.
Soda has been a particular target of those fighting obesity because of its caloric content and popularity among children.
Diana Garza, a spokeswoman for the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co., said "these voluntary guidelines escalate ... the shift to lower calorie, more nutritious beverages."
A man who answered the phone at Cadbury Schweppes' London headquarters said no one was available to comment. A call seeking comment from PepsiCo Inc. was not returned.
"This is really the beginning of a major effort to modify childhood obesity at the level of the school systems," said Robert H. Eckel, president of the American Heart Association.
Under the agreement, high schools will still be sold low-calorie drinks that contain less than 10 calories per serving, as well as drinks that are considered nutritious, such as juice, sports drinks and low-fat milk. Whole milk won't be offered to any schools because of its calorie content, Neely said.
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