AN 8-OUNCE GLASS of apple juice has about 120 calories; grape juice, 170. The same amount of Coca-Cola comes in at 105. So why is the state banning Coke at California schools in an effort to slim kids down, while the juices get the stamp of approval?

Two bills by Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier) that limit the foods and drinks schools can sell are well intentioned, and probably would help kids' overall health, once they're signed as expected by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

They would limit fats, regulate portion sizes and put somewhat healthier items in school cafeterias and vending machines. But when it comes to matters of the food wars, earnest lawmakers remain entranced with some cherished childhood myths and long-nourished food prejudices.

There's a certain confusion in this good food/bad food lawmaking, which purports to be about childhood obesity but is sometimes about nutrition. It often ignores the fact that nutritious food can be fattening and nonfattening food is not always nutritious.

Explaining her position on juice earlier this year, an Escutia aide enthused that the body processes the sugars in fruit juice differently. Not according to the California Dietetic Assn., whose spokesman told The Times last year, "Sugar is sugar is sugar." Similarly, a new Government Accountability Office report bemoans the availability at school campuses of pizza made by outside vendors, even though a well-made slice of pizza can be lower in fat and calories and higher in nutrition than a cheese sandwich on white bread.

It would be nice to have more meaningful food rules written by experts in childhood nutrition. Until then, Escutia's bills are an improvement over the blatant pushing of sugar and fat that's been going on in schools for a long time.

Now if only those kids got more exercise. Alas, a bill that would have required gym classes to involve actual physical activity for all students languished in committee.

Copyright 2005 Los Angeles Times

Senate committee OKs bill limiting fat,
sugar in school food

By: Associated Press

SACRAMENTO -- Legislation that would set nutrition standards for school food was approved Wednesday by a state Senate committee.

The bill by Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, cleared the Education Committee on a 8-3 vote and was sent to the Health Committee.
"Now is the time to support intellectual and physical health for our students by getting rid of unhealthy foods at school," Escutia said in a statement. "This legislation makes sure that California has healthy children who are ready to learn."

With some exceptions, the bill would set limits on fat and sugar in individual food items sold at elementary and secondary schools, starting July 1, 2007.

Not more than 35 percent of total calories could come from fat and not more than 10 percent could come from saturated fat. Sugar would be limited to no more than 35 percent of the item's total weight.

Nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, nut butters, eggs and individual packages of cheese wouldn't be covered by the limits nor would full school meals, which are covered by federal standards.

The restrictions, in an attempt to aid school fund-raising efforts, also wouldn't apply to food sold by secondary schools more than a half hour after classes end for the day or at a school-sponsored events.

Lawmakers adopted nutrition standards for elementary schools and some secondary schools in 2001, but those requirements were never implemented because they were tied to additional school funding that was never approved. Escutia's current bill doesn't contain that restriction.

Copyright 2005 North County Times