New Law Regarding Junk Food in School

21/06/07 Bans on junk food and soda in schools and a recycling program for plastic bags are among the new laws that take effect in California on July 1.

While most California bills usually become law on Jan. 1, a handful are delayed to give the public more time to prepare.

Other new laws taking effect next month include increased fees on bottles and cans for recycling, and new efforts to prevent spread of infections in hospitals.

Because of the extra time, some agencies and companies have acted ahead of the new laws' start date - many school districts have already improved their menus and banned soda on campus, while supermarkets have already begun recycling plastic bags.

Senate Bills 12 and 965, authored by former Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Los Angeles, and signed into law in 2005, set new limits on sugar and fat content in meals served in public schools, including a ban on soda.