Soda ban in schools backed

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) yesterday supported calls to ban soda and other sugar-laden drinks in schools to fight obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

PCP vice president Anthony Leachon said these illnesses are caused by high intake of sugar and calories, which are the main composition of soda.

Leachon noted that children should not be exposed to soda at a young age because of its ill-effects on their health.

“There are five million obese, 27 million overweight and seven million diabetic Filipinos. By banning soda and other sweet drinks in schools, these figures will be reduced eventually,” he added.

He said the PCP supports 10-year-old Daniel “Chip” Gatmaytan who has been campaigning to ban soda.

Representatives Leni Robredo of Camarines Sur and Arlene Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands have filed House Bill 4021 or the proposed Healthy Beverage Options to push Gatmaytan’s advocacy.

The bill seeks to prohibit the sale in schools of soft drinks, sports drinks,  iced tea and fruit-based drinks that contain less than 50 percent real fruit juice or that contain additional sweeteners as well as drinks containing caffeine, excluding low-fat or fat-free chocolate milk.

Beverages that contain at least 50 percent fruit juice and do not contain additional sweeteners; low-fat or fat-free milk, including chocolate milk, soy milk, rice milk and other dairy and non-dairy calcium-fortified milks are allowed to be sold in schools.