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State Legislature Is Urged To Pass Healthy Schools Act
"By promoting healthier learning environments, this legislation gives children the chance to develop healthy habits early on that will impact the rest of their lives," said the governor. "Rather than having to focus on the daily distractions and chronic diseases associated with caffeine and sugar, students will be able to concentrate on learning the skills necessary to compete in today's innovation economy. I urge the Legislature to pass this common sense legislation that will have a lasting impact on public health in New York State." The major provisions of the Healthy Schools Act include: •Prohibiting the sale of soda and candy in schools; •Requiring the state Education Department, in consultation with the Department of Health, to create regulations establishing nutritional and dietary standards for foods and beverages sold, served or offered in elementary and secondary schools; •Requiring that the standards set limits on cholesterol, sodium, fat, sugar, and calories, determine appropriate serving sizes, and ban artificial trans fatty acids; Requiring that fruit- with no added sweeteners- be offered at breakfast and lunch, that non-fried vegetables be offered at lunch, and that half of all grain products served be whole grains; •Requiring school districts to establish a school breakfast program in middle schools and high schools that participate in the federal school lunch program; and •Requiring districts to develop local school wellness policies to ensure community involvement in considering ways to create healthier schools, including how to increase opportunities for physical activity during the school day.
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