19 Mar 2010 --- The American Beverage Association (ABA) has commended Sens. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, as well as Reps. George Miller, D-Calif., and Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., for their bi-partisan leadership on school nutrition.

"The beverage industry commends Chairman Lincoln, Ranking Member Chambliss, Senator Harkin, Chairman Miller and Representative Woolsey for their steadfast commitment to updating school nutrition standards in a manner that is supported by science and grounded in common sense," Susan K. Neely, ABA president and CEO, said.

The beverage industry has been an industry leader on school health and wellness, developing and implementing national School Beverage Guidelines as part of a broader effort to teach children the importance of a balanced diet and exercise.

"As parents and grandparents, we recognize that schools are special places," Neely said. "Industry has spent the past several years removing full-calorie soft drinks from schools across America and replacing them with lower-calorie, smaller-portion beverages. We believe this standard, which is already implemented and working, provides a strong cornerstone for developing a new federal nutrition standard for all foods and beverages sold in schools."

Limiting calories in our nation's schools is a sensible approach, and one on which the School Beverage Guidelines are based. The Alliance School Beverage Guidelines Final Progress Report shows that the beverage industry delivered on its promise to parents, school and community leaders by removing full-calorie soft drinks from schools across America and replacing them with lower-calorie, smaller-portion beverages. This initiative has resulted in 88 percent fewer beverage calories available in schools.

In May 2006, America's leading beverage companies agreed to implement School Beverage Guidelines that limit portion sizes and reduce the number of beverage calories available to children during the school day. Under the voluntary guidelines, 100 percent juice, low-fat milk and bottled water are allowed in elementary and middle schools, with the addition of diet beverages and calorie-capped sports drinks, flavored waters and teas in high schools. For more information, please visit the ABA Web site at www.ameribev.org.

The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.