SOFT DRINKS, EMPTY PROMISES

Michele Simon, director of the Center for Informed Food Choices and author of the forthcoming Appetite for Profit (Nation Books), writes: The headlines certainly sounded impressive: Companies pulling sodas out of school; Bottlers agree to a school ban on sweet drinks. There's only one problem: It's not true. In May Big Cola announced yet another voluntary school sales policy, this one brokered by the Clinton Foundation. (The former President has made childhood obesity one of his causes.) The major media somehow missed that the deal is voluntary, meaning it's unenforceable. Moreover, diet soda full of artificial sweeteners, sports drinks high in sugar and other empty-calorie beverages with zero nutritional value are still allowed in high schools. Most disturbing, this PR stunt could undermine ongoing grassroots efforts to get this stuff out of schools. Clinton should work with parents and others fighting powerful corporations to get enforceable legislation. The last thing we need is Bill Clinton encouraging more empty promises from industry.

FEIFFER TO BE HUNG BY SVA

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