45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION TO STUDY AND IDENTIFY THE HEALTH AND EDUCATION BENEFITS OF REPLACING CARBONATED SOFT DRINK MACHINES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITH MACHINES OFFERING HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS ALTERNATIVES.

WHEREAS, carbonated soft drinks are heavily promoted and generally very sweet snack beverages; and

WHEREAS, the contents of these beverages offer little in the way of healthy nutrition but are consistently very high in sugar and often contain caffeine; and

WHEREAS, experienced teachers readily testify to the disturbing influence of carbonated soft drink consumption on students' attention and ability to learn; and

WHEREAS, children of elementary school age cannot be relied upon to make healthy choices of beverages offering nutritious contents; and

WHEREAS, the state department of public education, the department of health and others have a desire and an obligation to address the health and welfare of children attending public schools; and

WHEREAS, the ready availability of soda dispensing machines in many elementary schools encourages children to make unhealthy choices of beverages; and

WHEREAS, nutritious alternative beverages are available and can be offered in lieu of carbonated soft drinks;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to lead a study, with the participation of the state department of public education and others, to identify the health and education benefits and methods of replacing carbonated soft drink machines in elementary schools with devices offering healthy, nutritious alternatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include participation from the health sciences center of the university of New Mexico, statewide associations of nutritionists and other interested parties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health reports its findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee and the legislative education study committee at their respective October 2002 meetings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to the department of health, the state department of public education, the legislative health and human services committee and the legislative education study committee.