Code to police school fizzy drinks sales

Enda Kenny is banking on the fizzy drinks industry to operate a code of conduct in their sales through vending machines to schools.

The Taoiseach said yesterday he had personally spoken to heads of drinks companies, stating: “Many of them have moved to a point where they have sugar-free content.”

Mr Kenny was responding at the opening of a science building in IT Sligo to criticism by obesity experts of Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan for refusing to ban fizzy drinks machines in second-level schools.

The minister wants schools to make more healthy food options available, but has refused to ban fizzy drinks vending machines in secondary school. Many schools earn between €3,500 and €4,000 a year from vending machines.

Ms O’Sullivan said she believed education about health options instead of direct bans was the best way to achieve results.

Mr Kenny, a former national school teacher, noted there are no vending machines in primary schools.

“Drinks companies themselves have introduced a code of conduct which we expect to be honoured,” he said. “Parents and young persons need to know that a healthy diet is essential and consumption of a fizzy drink is not to be abused, not to be overdone.”

The Taoiseach emphasised it was also up to parents and teachers to teach children of the value of restraint.

“There should be an understanding you don’t overdo this,” he said. “Schools are not the only location where young people have access to fizzy drinks.”