We disagree with the suggestion from the American School Food Service Association that beverage machines which sell water, juice, sports drinks as well as carbonated and diet carbonated soft drinks should be banned from school campuses all over the country. In fact, there is clear scientific evidence to support the conclusion that soft drinks are not the cause of pediatric obesity or any other health problems. Business partnerships between local soft drink bottlers and educators provide a vital source of supplemental dollars for a wide variety of important educational programs such as sports and athletics, arts and theater and computers and information technology.
Local educators decide how best to spend the revenue generated by business partnerships.
The soft drink industry has a long and lasting commitment to America's schools. The benefits of business partnerships between soft drink companies and schools are unmistakable, while the science shows us that there is no nutritional reason to further restrict the sale of soft drinks or any other beverages in schools. To combat the growing obesity problem in this country, the soft drink industry is doing its part to promote proper nutrition and a more active lifestyle. Copyright 1999 National Soft Drink Association, All Rights Reserved.