Sugary soft drinks nixed at Colombia's elementary schools

May 20, 2016 - 2:18 PM

BOGOTA - Sugary soft drinks are being pulled from elementary schools in Colombia in a bid to instil better dietary habits at a young age

The country's leading soft drink distributors said Friday that they have agreed to supply only bottled water, juices and non-sugary drinks to schools serving kids under the age of 12. They will also stop advertising in the schools and provide clearer nutritional information about their products.

Childhood obesity is one of Colombia's most serious public health challenges.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that there are more than 42 million overweight children under the age of five. About three-quarters of them live in developing nations like Colombia.

News from © The Associated Press, 2016

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