Senate drops Harkin's federal pre-emption of school snacks
An amendment mandating federal pre-emption of varying state rules governing the types of snack foods allowable in public schools was dropped from the Farm Bill two days ago. A spokesperson for the Center for Science in the Public Interest voiced deep disappointment in the effort to update nutrition guidance nearly 30 years old.
Just a week earlier, lead sponsor Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) claimed "broad support" for the measure which sought to impose federal school nutrition standards for foods and beverages offered in school vending machines, school stores and other non-school meal programs which are covered by separate guidelines.
The amendment was similar to The Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act which Sen. Harkin has introduced into the past two Congresses. The Snack Food Association supported a voluntary approach to upgrading school nutrition choices.
