School Meal Deal Struck on Nutrition Issues

FM Staff

Five leading food suppliers have struck an agreement with The Alliance for a Healthier Generation advocacy group to establish voluntary-guidelines for snacks and side items sold in schools. The Alliance, a joint initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association (AHA), joined with Campbell Soup Co., Dannon, Kraft Foods, Mars and PepsiCo to work to help reduce obesity among American youngsters.

As part of the agreement, the suppliers will invest in product reformulation and new product development while encouraging broader support of the agreed-to guidelines, which were developed in conjunction with nutrition experts at the AHA. They will apply to foods offered for sale in schools outside of the National School Lunch Program to students before, during and after the school day. They include foods and snacks, desserts, side items and treats sold in vending machines, a la carte lines, school stores, snack carts and fundraisers.