Proposal Could Ban Junk Food, Soda Ads In Schools
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Schools across the country may soon see the end of ads for junk food and soda. At the White House Tuesday, First Lady Michelle Obama and the Agriculture Secretary rolled out a new proposal.
"Our classrooms should be healthy places where our kids are not bombarded with ads for junk food," Obama said.
The changes would remove the popular junk food and soda ads from school scoreboards and vending machines. But not everyone is on board.
"I see these new regulations potentially driving up their costs when schools simply can't afford to spend money in places other than on kids' educations," said Rep. Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota.
Secretary Tom Vilsack admits it's big business. He says companies spend almost $150 million a year on marketing in schools.
But, the White House is pushing forward, making the marketing limits part of its plan for an overall healthier school day.