The nation’s largest state has adopted draconian restrictions on the diets of schoolchildren. Gov. Gray Davis of California Sunday signed into law SB 19, which bans the sale of foods that do not meet arbitrary standards for fat and sugar content on elementary campuses — in cafeterias, snack bars, vending machines and even at student bake sale fundraisers — and limits the sale of carbonated drinks at middle schools.
It could be just the first step in an anti-food-choice crusade. The bill’s sponsor, State Senator Martha Escutia, said SB 19 is just the first step: “I’m very persistent… I will remove junk foods from schools in the next four years.”
