In May 2006, we worked with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to establish School Beverage Guidelines that limit portion sizes and reduce the number of beverage calories available to children during the school day and extended school day.  Our member companies committed to complete implementation of the guidelines by the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.

Research published this week in the American Journal of Public Health confirms that the beverage industry has successfully removed full-calorie soft drinks from schools nationwide and replaced them with lower-calorie, smaller-portion options.

The report shows that our industry continues to deliver on our commitment to schools across America:

• Full-calorie soft drinks have been removed. Shipments of full-calorie soft drinks to schools have declined by 97 percent between 2004, the last comprehensive data available prior to the agreement, and the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

• Calories available from beverages in schools have been cut dramatically. In fact, 90 percent fewer beverage calories were shipped to schools during that time.

Going above and beyond our industry’s commitment and initial implementation period, this updated data builds on our 2010 announcement.

If you haven’t read The Los Angeles Times today, check it out!  They’re sharing the good news!  Don’t forget to let us know what you think about this great accomplishment on Facebook and Twitter.