To ban or not to ban?

One of the ongoing themes in Nutrition Policy is whether or not to ban foods- specifically “junk foods” for kids in schools. The more you think about it, the more complicated this issue becomes.

Some examples:

• How are “junk foods” defined?
• Where will the bans limits be defined- by Calories, fat & trans fat, do we include additives and preservatives, the amount of high fructose corn syrup per bite?
• How will regulation work- will kids only be allowed to buy a small serving of cookies?
• ……. and the list goes on.

Here is a video that was posted on CNN.com this morning discussing the opposing sides of the issue:

A school district in Massachusetts has decided to ban all cookies, candies and cakes from students lunches. We can all imagine what benefits and problems could arise from such a ban, I believe that sides have valid points:

• The Registered Dietitian (RD) points out that the childhood obesity is detrimental and we need to step it up and make some more dramatic moves, because parents are not doing their job.

• The talk show host/retired teacher and interviewer both argue that this ban as “Twinkie Police” will step on parents toes, and we need to leave parents to do their job, in addition to increasing physical activity for kids instead of banning foods.

I believe that we should spend our time pushing for “better” food options in schools, like nourishing Stonyfield Farms yogurt in vending machines.

I was surprised to see this video over breakfast this morning, and think its a big step for Massachusetts. I don’t know all the background behind this ban and need to get to work right now, but I would guess that State Rep Peter Koutouijian would be involved as he has been fighting for children’s nutrition in schools for quite some time now. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Clearly, the parenting issue is one that needs to be addressed – and thankfully has been discussed by Obama & Biden lately! Parents as role models have enormous influence on their child’s dietary habits and overall health.

Also, I would like to point out something I learned from Marion Nestle in Food Politics: that the notion that “physical activity” needs to be increased, and this will allow for all foods to be part of a healthy diet is an argument planted into our food environment by the food industry. Its pretty easy to figure out why.

For more on Food Policy, visit my former Professors Park Wilde’s blog @ http://usfoodpolicy.blogspot.com/

Syrah Merkow, MS, Tulane University Dietetic Intern