Senators question vending machine guidelines

By Tim Carpenter

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Two state senators Monday questioned the wisdom of a Kansas trade association's guidelines on consumption of vending machine drinks in schools.

Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, and Sen. Ruth Teichman, R- Stafford, said during a legislative hearing they were uncomfortable with recommendations made by the Kansas Beverage Association on access by K-12 students to soft drinks, water, juice, milk and other beverages.

Francisco quizzed Ron Hein, executive director of the association, about a provision of the industry group's voluntary policy encouraging school districts to provide elementary students "only bottled water and 100 percent juice."

"Is there a reason milk is not mentioned?" she asked.

Hein, testifying before the Legislative Educational Planning Committee in Topeka, said he was uncertain why milk was absent. He said some people had concern about whole milk's high fat content.

Teichman said she was puzzled by the association's recommendation that school districts give middle or junior high students access to sports drinks in addition to water, 100 percent juice, no-calorie soft drinks and low-calorie fruit drinks.

"My concern would be the amount of caffeine middle school children can get," she said.

In response, Hein said caffeine "gets a bit of a bad rap." Anything consumed in excess, even water, can be detrimental to a person's health, he said.

The state industry group recommended soft drinks occupy a maximum of 50 percent of vending machine slots in Kansas high schools. These students, the association says, should be able to buy water, 100 percent juice and sports drinks.

The interim legislative committee took no action on the association's vending guidelines.

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