School District Staff Opposes Flavored Milk Ban

At least three Board of Education members support a ban on flavored milk in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, but district administrators disagree. The board will consider a staff proposal on Wednesday to continue serving nonfat chocolate milk at the local schools. Service of strawberry milk was discontinued due to minimal demand.

A group of parents and students recently approached the district about banning flavored milk because it has more sugar (two teaspoons) than white milk. A divided school board discussed the concept last month. Three board members supported a ban (Oscar de la Torre, Ralph Mechur and Nimish Patel) and three did not (Board President José Escarce, Laurie Lieberman and Maria Leon Vazquez). Board Vice President Ben Allen said he was "interested in a ban," but did not "have enough information yet to firmly make that decision."

Those who opposed a ban said it would lead to fewer students drinking milk, and they would not receive the various nutritional benefits that are featured in flavored and white milk.

"I think milk is too important," said Escarce, who has a medical degree.

The district staff report—written by Superintendent Sandra Lyon, Chief Financial Officer Jan Maez and Nutrition Services Director Orlando Griego—states, "Although there are differing opinions on this subject, well-respected, national experts and organizations in the field of child nutrition—including the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association—have concluded that milk provides essential nutrition to children, and specifically recommend offering nonfat chocolate milk to promote milk consumption."

The meeting will take place at the SMMUSD office, which is located at 1651 16th Street in Santa Monica. It is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.