Nom Nom Potato Chips: Banned in Massachusetts!

Many thanks to TweenTribune.com - a fantastic news portal for parents and tweens - and to the Associated Press for this Nom Nom Wednesday news item.  As a parent, I applaud the effort but what's next, regulating our oxygen intake?  Slow, deep breaths... now if only the state could ban bullying as swiftly and confidently as they ban crunchy, fatty delicious, salty potato chips.

Potato chips banned in Massachusetts Sugary sodas and sweet snacks are out along with potato chips and other vending machine cuisine under Massachusetts' new school nutrition standards approved Wednesday.

The rules, approved unanimously by the state Public Health Council, ban foods with artificial sweeteners, trans fats, and caffeine from schools' a la carte lines, vending machines, stores, events and fundraisers. They also ban fried foods and limit the amount of fat, sodium, and sugar that can be in school foods.

In addition, the regulations require schools to offer unsweetened fruits and vegetables wherever food is sold besides in vending machines, and provide water for free at all times.

Breads must be made with whole grain, juices must be 100 percent fruit juice, and flavored milk cannot have more sugar than plain low-fat milk.

Most of the changes go into effect in the 2012-2013 school year.