Soda Ban Means Change at Schools

Like other food companies, however, the beverage industry has been under considerable pressure from parents and lawmakers to curb the sale of high-calorie, heavily sugared products, particularly in schools.

At the same time, a coalition of lawyers who successfully sued tobacco companies has been threatening over the past year to sue soft drink makers over selling sodas in schools. Joining with that coalition was the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a public advocacy group that has called for health warnings on soda similar to those on cigarettes.

"It's important to keep in mind that this action by the soft drink industry is as voluntary as a shotgun wedding,'' said Margo G. Wootan, the center's director of nutrition policy. "There is a lot of momentum on these issues at the state and local level."

Officials in D.C. public schools, working closely with the center, adopted one of the strictest policies, allowing only water, seltzer, 100 percent fruit juices, low-fat and fat-free milk to be sold during the school day -- though soda and sports drinks could be sold 30 minutes after the school day ended, Wootan said. An Arlington ban on soda took effect last year.

Montgomery school officials adopted a policy in 2004 limiting beverage choices during the school day to water, flavored non-carbonated water, 100 percent fruit juices or beverages with at least 50 percent fruit juice. Sport drinks are only sold in the physical education area.

Other area school systems said the new agreement will mean changes for their campuses.

In Prince George's County, Bladensburg High School, which opened last August with a rebuilt campus, complies with the new standards announced yesterday. But system spokesman John White said getting the other county high schools to reach full compliance with the new beverage policy will be "time-consuming and complex."

Staff writers Caroline E. Mayer, Maria Glod, Nick Anderson and Josh Zumbrun contributed to this report.