On a vote of 419 to 5 the house approved the Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act, a legislation that aims to push a 'healthy school environment' and more nutrition education in an effort to stem the rising tide of obesity and health-related conditions.
Welcomed by campaigners keen to improve the diets of children Donna Wittrock, president of the American School Food Service Association (ASFSA) said : "This bill reflects the concern all Members of Congress have for the well-being of children. ASFSA, along with many allied organizations, have worked for over two years to develop child nutrition reauthorization priorities, and are pleased that many of these are addressed in the bill."
Members of ASFSA - that total more than 55,000 across the US - will be looking for market driven suppliers of food products and ingredients with a strong nutritional profile.
New research released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that nine million American children are either overweight or obese, a physical condition linked to the rising occurrence of type 2 diabetes in children as well as cardio vascular problems in later life.
The new bill - H.R. 3873 - includes several provisions that address the 'integrity of school meal programs', as well as steps to teach children to make healthier food choices. It also addresses nutrition and obesity within the limits of a tight federal budget. The bill, still to be cleared by the US Senate, would require local school districts to develop wellness policies that define a healthy school environment including nutrition and physical activity.
According to ASFSA, both Democrats and Republicans have come together on the issue, albeit in the throws of presidential campaigning.