A Junk Food Ban at Massachusetts Schools?

During the 2005-06 legislative session, the Massachusetts Public Health Association spearheaded an effort to get a bill passed that would ban junk food and soda in Massachusetts schools.

The bill sponsored by Representative Peter Koutoujian, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Public Health, had more than 140 endorsements from organizations and newspapers. However, no action was taken on the bill during the legislative session.

Roberta Friedman, director of education at the Association, said the bill has been fine-tuned to set clearer limits on sodium and Trans fat and recently was re-filed by Representative Koutoujian. Friedman said she is hoping the bill gets a public hearing in April.

"We are working hard to mobilize a grassroots effort,'' Friedman said. "We have 40 legislators co-sponsoring the bill now and we hope it will pass this session.''

- Rosemary Cafasso