Schools
Iowa Patch Poll: Should Feds Crack Down on Junk Food in Schools?
Should vending machines in schools be forced to sell healthy foods? Tell us your thoughts in comments.
As Americans -- kids and adults -- battle bulging waistlines and the health problems that come from being overweight, school snacks are getting a makeover thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, run by former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.
CNN reports that candy bars, doughnuts and regular potato chips will become scarce in schools under new federal rules released Thursday, replaced by healthier options such as granola bars, trail mix and baked chips.
The USDA's new "Smart Snacks in School" nutrition standards set limits for fat, salt and sugar sold in places such as vending machines and snack bars. The rules aim to cut down on the amount of calories, sodium and sugar in products sold to students during school hours, says the Iowa State University Extension website.
Ruth Litchfield, associate professor of food science and human nutrition at Iowa State University, said she expects resistance to the new rules because many schools generate significant revenue from vending machines and school stores. But those profits are not worth the cost to student health, she said.
So, is it the federal government's business to regulate what's in vending machines? Do the health problems Americans face require such intervention?
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