Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk Sponsors Bill Requiring Healthy Drink Choices on Children’s Menus

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2014

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Michelle García, Chief of Staff
O: 410.841.8302
Email: mgarcia@house.state.md.us

Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk Sponsors Bill
Requiring Healthy Drink Choices on Children’s Menus

Annapolis, MD. - To assist families in making healthier food selections when dining away from home, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D, District 21, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties) is sponsoring House Bill 1255 that will require food service facilities to offer only bottled water or milk as the beverage included in the price of a child’s meal. Other beverages will still be available at an extra cost.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that over the past three decades, childhood obesity has more than tripled. During that same period, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages by children has increased, to the point that they now consume more than twice as much soda per day than milk. Today, nearly one-third of our young people are either overweight or obese, making them high risks for serious health problems later in life. However, data shows that in those communities that have implemented policies to prevent obesity, the rate of obesity is declining dramatically.

The United States Department of Agriculture, recognizing the public health implications of childhood obesity, has updated their standards to require that snacks and drinks sold in schools are healthy. This legislation will continue in that spirit.

The bill is scheduled to be heard by the House Economic Matters Committee on March 7. The text of the bill is available on the General Assembly Web site, at http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga. Just type in “HB1255,” in the “Find Legislation” box. The Delegate welcomes your opinions, in support or opposition of this bill. Please file them electronically at joseline.pena.melnyk@house.state.md.us. You may also call (410) 841-3502 for more information.