Saturday, December 19, 2009
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
COLUMBUS — The Ohio House has moved legislation limiting the types of vending-machine snacks offered at public schools.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Connie Pillich, a Democrat from the Cincinnati area, passed on a vote of 58-36 and heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
“Whenever there is candy, kids find it,” Pillich said in urging support for the bill. “And that’s the problem. The health of Ohio’s children is seriously at risk.”
Pillich said she offered the legislation because one-third of Ohio youngsters are obese, and many are having health problems — diabetes, hypertension and other serious issues — as a result, she said.
“We are failing our children by giving them unfettered access to unhealthy snacks at schools,” she added.
The bill would establish nutritional standards for vending machines and in-school stores that sell snacks to children while classes are in session and during after-school activities.
Snacks would be limited to those with 150-200 calories, depending on the grade levels where vending machines are located.
Additional limits would be set on fat, processed sugar and sodium content.
Exemptions would be provided for vending machines used only by teachers and staff or on food sold by sports boosters and other groups at sporting and school- related events.